Toyota Slam Two-tier Budget Caps and Threaten to Quit Formula One
Toyota are threatening to withdraw from formula one next season if a compromise is not reached on the FIA's proposed budget cap
As the rift between the major formula one teams and the sport's governing body continues to grow, Toyota have become the first team to threaten to withdraw from next year's championship unless compromises are made to the FIA's plans for a voluntary budget cap for next season. Entries for 2010 must be confirmed by 29 May.
The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), which represents the sport's 10 competitors, met in the Barcelona paddock this morning for further talks over the FIA's decision to impose a two-tier budget cap system next year. Teams complying with the £40m cap will be allowed greater technical freedom than those preferring to operate under their own budgets, some of which exceed £80m.
"Under the rules as they are published, we cannot submit an entry," said the Toyota formula one team president, John Howett. "We do not like the idea of a double-standard or two-tier formula one. If you look at the regulations, it is very clear that you would need to compete at the £40m budget cap because that car would be quicker. But when you take into consideration that the engine revs would be free and the drivers' fees are excluded and Kers [the kinetic energy retention systems] is excluded, you are probably talking about a budget of £150m or more.
"It's a very confused situation that we need to clarify. We want a more clear governance process which gives us confidence in the way the regulations are changed and will allow us to plan. We are totally in favor of cost reduction. Whether or not we stay will be a Toyota board decision.
"Ultimately that depends on the value and what F1 represents. It's not only about expenditure. It's about whether or not we preserve something we at the moment perceive as being very special. We had a very constructive FOTA meeting, I think, continuing the next phase of what we would like to see as cost reduction. The meeting was more about actually continuing the process that we've achieved this year. We've achieved in our case around 35% to 40% savings and I think the show is as good as it's ever been."
There was no official statement from FOTA today. But Ferrari, unhappy about the budget cap and the manner of its implementation, are known to be considering a future outside formula one. Talk of all 10 teams boycotting the 2010 championship is weakened by Williams and Force India being in favor of a budget cap.
"Williams has supported the introduction of a budget cap since the idea was first put forward early in 2008," said Sir Frank Williams. "Since then FOTA has made tremendous steps forward on costs but the rationale for a budget cap has also grown even stronger. We would like to see all the teams operating to one set of regulations and under a budget cap in 2010."
It has been suggested by some FOTA members that the FIA went against protocol on 29 April, when the world motor sport council pushed through the 2010 regulations. It could also have been a breach of a veto that Ferrari are believed to have relating to future regulation changes as part of an agreement that the Italian team signed with Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA in 2005.
Representatives of FOTA and Max Mosley, the president of the FIA, are due to meet before the next round of the championship, at Monaco on 24 May.
The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), which represents the sport's 10 competitors, met in the Barcelona paddock this morning for further talks over the FIA's decision to impose a two-tier budget cap system next year. Teams complying with the £40m cap will be allowed greater technical freedom than those preferring to operate under their own budgets, some of which exceed £80m.
"Under the rules as they are published, we cannot submit an entry," said the Toyota formula one team president, John Howett. "We do not like the idea of a double-standard or two-tier formula one. If you look at the regulations, it is very clear that you would need to compete at the £40m budget cap because that car would be quicker. But when you take into consideration that the engine revs would be free and the drivers' fees are excluded and Kers [the kinetic energy retention systems] is excluded, you are probably talking about a budget of £150m or more.
"It's a very confused situation that we need to clarify. We want a more clear governance process which gives us confidence in the way the regulations are changed and will allow us to plan. We are totally in favor of cost reduction. Whether or not we stay will be a Toyota board decision.
"Ultimately that depends on the value and what F1 represents. It's not only about expenditure. It's about whether or not we preserve something we at the moment perceive as being very special. We had a very constructive FOTA meeting, I think, continuing the next phase of what we would like to see as cost reduction. The meeting was more about actually continuing the process that we've achieved this year. We've achieved in our case around 35% to 40% savings and I think the show is as good as it's ever been."
There was no official statement from FOTA today. But Ferrari, unhappy about the budget cap and the manner of its implementation, are known to be considering a future outside formula one. Talk of all 10 teams boycotting the 2010 championship is weakened by Williams and Force India being in favor of a budget cap.
"Williams has supported the introduction of a budget cap since the idea was first put forward early in 2008," said Sir Frank Williams. "Since then FOTA has made tremendous steps forward on costs but the rationale for a budget cap has also grown even stronger. We would like to see all the teams operating to one set of regulations and under a budget cap in 2010."
It has been suggested by some FOTA members that the FIA went against protocol on 29 April, when the world motor sport council pushed through the 2010 regulations. It could also have been a breach of a veto that Ferrari are believed to have relating to future regulation changes as part of an agreement that the Italian team signed with Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA in 2005.
Representatives of FOTA and Max Mosley, the president of the FIA, are due to meet before the next round of the championship, at Monaco on 24 May.
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