FORMULA ONE:THE FORMULA One teams are to meet at this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix to discuss the controversially rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix, which they want postponed.
The Formula One Teams Association (Fota), which wrote to the FIA on Tuesday with objections to the race, understood to be based on personnel and logistics, is expected to remain united in a meeting that will take place either tomorrow or most likely on Saturday in Montreal.
Bernie Ecclestone, who represents the Formula One commercial rights holders, appeared to side with Fota yesterday when he indicated the race would be called off.
“Hopefully we can return in the future, but of course it’s not on,” he said. “The schedule cannot be rescheduled without the agreement of the participants – they’re the facts.”
It was a somewhat unlikely comment from Ecclestone. Not holding the race could lose the sport up to €27 million and potentially more from TV companies. It may signify a shift in his position to gain leverage with the FIA over the governing body’s desire to bring in smaller engines.
Ecclestone’s remarks contrast with the role he took during the World Motor Sports Council meeting to discuss the race, where the FIA says he proposed its rescheduling and the prospective date changes.
Whatever the intent, he appears to be referring specifically to one of the FIA rules that the governing body appears not to have followed – the internal code that does not allow changes in championships without agreement from competitors. That would suggest the FIA ruling can be ignored because teams were not consulted and that Fota’s position will stand.
However, Fota as an organisation is not officially recognised by the FIA. The teams were represented at the council meeting by Ferrari’s team principal, Stefano Domenicali, who raised no objections at the time.
Furthermore the Concorde Agreement is understood to supersede other international sporting agreements. Under its auspices, Formula One races can be rescheduled as long as that is done within a specific period of time, as was apparently the case with Bahrain.
The teams will make no comment until they have met in Montreal and may then only reiterate their opposition, which remains central to the debate: no teams means no race.
Guardian Service
