The Formula One Teams’ Association (FOTA) faces a defining meeting at next month’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to establish a way forward for the umbrella organisation that doesn’t lead to “suspicions and polemics” between the squads in future.
That is the view of Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali in the wake of continued speculation that the Resource Restriction Agreement – agreed between the teams in mid 2009 to bring all teams’ spending down in the wake of the worldwide financial crisis - could be on the verge of collapse amid suggestions that some teams are flouting the spirit of the document.
FOTA met for a meeting last Sunday in Ferrari’s paddock hospitality unit in Korea to discuss their concerns and are now due to reconvene talks at the season’s penultimate round in Abu Dhabi.
Quoted in an article on Ferrari’s official website entitled 'An important week for FOTA', Domenicali, a former vice chairman of the organisation, said that while the body had achieved notable success up until now, a new understanding for the future was required.
“FOTA has played an incredible role in recent years,” Domenicali said.
“Its achievements meant that this sport was able to tackle the global crisis in an efficient manner. The impetus that came under [Ferrari president Luca] Montezemolo’s presidency has been carried forward with diligence and dedication by Martin Whitmarsh, who is doing a great job.
“Clearly, at this stage however, we need to understand how to move forward without leading to suspicions and polemics, elements that are always present in such a competitive environment as Formula 1.”
FOTA was formed in July 2008 in order to give the teams a united mouthpiece from which to conduct negotiations over the future of the sport with the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone.
The body currently represents all teams except HRT.
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