Ferrari and
FOTA Breakaway
From F1

In response to what it sees as an unreasonable  cost cutting demands made by Max Mosley and the FIA, FOTA will now create its own racing series:

"The teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport and have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 world championship.

These teams, therefore, have no alternative other than to commence the preparation for a new championship which reflects the values of its participants and partners. This series will have transparent governance, one set of regulations, encourage more entrants and listen to the wishes of the fans, including offering lower prices for spectators worldwide, partners and other important stakeholders.

The major drivers, stars, brands, sponsors, promoters and companies historically associated with the highest level of motorsport will all feature in this new series."

FOTA also openly criticised Formula 1 rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, and clarified their participation in Formula 1 until their new series is created:

"The FIA and the commercial rights holder have campaigned to divide Fota. The wishes of the majority of the teams are ignored. Furthermore, tens of millions of dollars have been withheld from many teams by the commercial rights holder, going back as far as 2006. Despite this, and the uncompromising environment, FOTA has genuinely sought compromise. Following these efforts, all the teams have confirmed to the FIA and the commercial rights holder that they are willing to commit until the end of 2012."

Unless, this is but further posturing, it truly seems as though Ferrari have delivered on their threat to withdraw from the Formula 1 World Championship. In dramatic fashion as well, as it will join FOTA in creating its own series. Surely this will result in the creation of a series which embodies the recent FOTA demands.

However, open wheel racing has not survived splits particularly well in the past. The breaking in half of American Indy racing was disastrous for both series and despite the IRL and Champ Car eventually coming back together, the new series is still a shadow of its former self. Let us hope the new series (should it in fact materialise) does not suffer the same fate. I remain extremely sceptical of the entire situation, to say the very least.