FIA Legal Action: Send in the Clowns!
Formula One chiefs are to start legal proceedings post haste against the Formula One Teams Association following their threat to begin a breakaway series.
Following meetings between Mosley and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone in the Silverstone paddock ahead of Sunday’s British Grand Prix, motor sport’s world governing body has now decided legal action is their only option.
“The FIA’s lawyers have now examined the FOTA threat to begin a breakaway series.”
The actions of FOTA as a whole, and Ferrari in particular, amount to serious violations of law including wilful interference with contractual relations, direct breaches of Ferrari’s legal obligations and a grave violation of competition law.”
The FIA will be issuing legal proceedings without delay. Preparations for the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship continue but publication of the final 2010 entry list will be put on hold while the FIA asserts its legal rights.”
Asserting the FIA’s legal rights may take months, if not years.
Oh well. there’s always the newly formed Formula Two Series, A1GP, GP2 and SuperLeague Formula to wet our open wheel appetites.
Meanwhile, Ferrari didn’t take long to respond to the legal threat.
“Ferrari does not intend to comment on the Press Release put out this afternoon by the FIA. However, Ferrari wishes to make it clear that on 15th June last, it already instigated arbitration against the FIA to protect its contractual rights in its dealings with this Federation, including those relative to the respecting of procedures as regards the adoption of regulations and the right to veto.”
Related articles:
- Rebel F1 Teams Face Legal Action Over Split (news.sky.com)
- F1 to sue over rival racing series (cbc.ca)
Ferrari must have had their own lawyers advise them before they made this decision so this is just a matter of legal interpretation. When you think about it, what else was the FIA going to do? Just let them walk out the door/
The irony of this action must be lost on Max, for years, every time somebody has complained, he has responded with the suggestion of start your own series if you dont like this one.
I still think that while FOTA is serious about breaking away, they will remain if their demands are met. Knowing Max’s ego however, he would burn down the house rather than compromise.
Exactly how an entire sport & business can be held hostage to the one mans lust for power is beyond me, but then I never understood how the FIA could be so spineless & dysfunctional in not ejecting the degenerate for “bringing the sport into disrepute” with the hookers of Chelsea.
In one of my finest tin foil hat inspirations I expect Max to be found one morning, soon, in a basement brothel dead from complications of drug usage and a heart attack.
I think his son’s fate may have been a none too subtle warning of the fate that awaits him if he continues to destroy a 2 billion dollar business. Men have died over far less!
I’ll revisit these comments after my morning meds kick in.
Oh yes, the best part of this announcement is the delay in the announcement of the accepted entries for 2010. Max’s house of cards is beginning to tumble.
I still am not sure how Bernie is going to play out this hand either. It would seem counter productive to suit the FOTA teams as that would seal the split. As one of the ultimate players in any game I see no issues with him coming on board with FOTA to rid themselves of Max and restructuring an agreeable finance package; OR baling out on CVC and becoming the sporting director of FOTA himself!
Wow, is that med delivery ever going to arrive?
How late in the morning do they kick in George? It’s already afternoon and I see no confirmation or retraction of the above.
Truth be told. I like the Bernie to FOTA option, he’s the ultimate back-stabber and would fit his normal M.O.
You take meds,George? I never would have never guessed.
Max has certainly painted himself into a corner on this one. He can forget an alliance with Bernie, right now all the gnome can see is his business walking out the door, he will protect his finances as a matter of self preservation.
While I think FOTA is serious about leaving I still believe they will stay if they get all of their demands met.
Oh, & if Max turns up dead in a brothel, I’m blaming Ron Dennis for the “wet work”, he has motive & time on his hands.
“never guessed”; must read what I type before pressing submit.
Maybe I need meds!