The Formula One Teams’ Association (FOTA) has issued its support for the BMW-Sauber, after the team’s parent company announced that it will quit the sport at the end of the current season.
The news comes in the wake of the annoucement in Munich, where Dr Klaus Draeger, responsible for BMW’s development, admitted that the German marque had not yet decided the fate of the current racing team.
“Since we only made this decision yesterday, we cannot provide any more precise information,” he said.
“We will develop and assess various scenarios and do our best to find a solution for the employees in Hinwil and the staff members involved in the Formula 1 project in Munich. We are aware of the responsibility we shoulder and will inform the staff as soon as we can make a clear statement.”
As a result of this, it is hoped that FOTA can create a rescue plan for the team, similar to that in the case of Brawn GP at the turn of the year.
“FOTA Teams have immediately consulted each other and are ready to assure all the necessary support to the Swiss-based team, whose membership in the association is confirmed, to continue its involvement in the F1 Sport,” said the organisation’s secretary general Simone Perillo.
Perillo also did not rule out the possibility of teams running a third car next season, if a buyer could not be found, as part of FOTA’s detailed evaluation into improving the sport.
“It is worth mentioning that a professional work has already begun within FOTA, aimed at increasing the involvement of the fans and at improving the F1 show,” continued Perillo.
“Among those initiatives, one that could be interesting is the introduction of a third car on the grid. FOTA will seek the opinions of all the most relevant stakeholders in order to exchange ideas and define proposals for the future of Formula 1.”
