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FOTA makes final effort to find a compromise with FIA
By Ernesto Nigro
June 17 2009
The ball clearly lies in the FIA's court now as FOTA awaits the final word. F1 teams have been trying to negotiate with Max Mosley and the FIA to find a solution to the current stand-off and have also called for an overhaul of the world governing body as the crisis over next year's rules.

FOTA makes final effort to find a compromise with FIA

  Both FOTA and the automakers have warned that teams and manufacturers, including World champion Ferrari, would leave the sport unless their objectives are met.  FOTA released a draft letter to the FIA and The World Motor Sport Council asking for help in finding a solution over the next week. In what seems to be the final attempt at resolving this crisis the letter reads:  "The time has come when, in the interests of the sport, we must all seek to compromise and bring an urgent conclusion to the protracted debate regarding the 2010 world championship," - Reuters. "We hope that you will consider that this letter represents significant movement by the teams, all of whom have clearly stated a willingness to commit to the sport until the end of 2012," . In the letter, FOTA proposes that the budget cap - now called "resource restriction" - be policed by a group of independent accountants of their choosing, with annual results submitted to the FIA. "We can see no reason why such a system based on objective verification of compliance would not be acceptable to all parties"  To put things into further perspective, this is a clear power struggle between FIA president and FOTA members, perhaps even more so with Ferrari Head Luca Di Montezemolo.  Several attempts have been made to find a resolution but the primary problem is the Mosley’s lack of interest in compromising.  He has been quoted in saying "We now have a conflict and we will see who succeeds in the end. I say to them: If you want to draw up your own rules, then you can organize your own championship."  A classic game of "CHICKEN" between Mosley and the members of FOTA.  The crisis has reached critical levels however.   While the FIA believes it has done enough to address concerns, it's quite obvious to many that this dictatorship's time has come to an end.  Famous Scott Sir Jackie Stewart was quoted as saying "You could say that you need a dictator - and yes, it does work - but you know what? It doesn't last forever. Julius Caesar was pretty good at what he did, but what happened? He lost his empire." The European Car Manufacturers' Association also issued a strong statement concluding that the sport's "current governance system cannot continue". This is not the first time (and I would say, probably not the last) that it has been suggested that Mosley should step down. He faced several calls for his resignation last year when he was caught in a sado-masochistic scandal.  The images of Max (Spanky) Mosley in his white boxers still haunt me. 

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