F1 - 2011 - Off-season & between races
FOTA unity threatened by spending agreement debate
Oct.12 (GMM) The unity of the formula one teams association FOTA might be racing into trouble.
AS newspaper reports that neither Red Bull nor Mercedes are fans of the so-called resource restriction agreement, with Ferrari and McLaren on the opposing side of the developing debate.
The report said Red Bull as well as Mercedes, the topic of conversation at Suzuka following the high-profile appointments of Aldo Costa and Geoff Willis, feel "under suspicion for alleged overspending".
Both teams "seem willing to fight for the elimination of this regulation", with some sources saying an impasse could lead to Mercedes and Red Bull leaving FOTA altogether.
AS correspondent Manuel Franco said Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali has called upon FOTA, led by his McLaren counterpart Martin Whitmarsh, to resolve the issue this weekend in Korea.
Bernie Ecclestone admitted recently that he does not support FOTA.
"I try not to think of them," said the F1 chief executive in a joint interview recently with Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, who agreed: "I also don't spend too much time thinking in that direction."
F1 chief executive Ecclestone told formula1.com: "It (FOTA) is an unnecessary association of people who should put their sole emphasis on getting competitive cars on the grid."
