Zoom Mosley looking to the law to keep Ferrari and other FOTA members in Formula One

Following the announcement that the Formula One Teams' Association has begun the process of forming its own championship and does not intend to race in the FIA Formula One World Championship next season, the FIA today announced that it is now to 'put on hold' the publication of the 2010 entry list and is taking legal action against the eight FOTA members.

The FIA published the first entry list last Friday listing the new Manor, US F1 and Campos teams as well as Williams and Force India who submitted unconditional entries. The FIA also claimed that Ferrari and the two Red Bull-owned teams have prior contracts with the governing body to race next year, something denied by the teams themselves.

With just five teams in effect on the entry list for the 2010 championship, the FIA have brought in the legal team as they assess the next step.

"The FIA’s lawyers have now examined the FOTA threat to begin a breakaway series," a statement published this afternoon reads. "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," it concludes.

The governing body had previously gone on record as saying that unconditional entries would be accepted until this evening but either way, there seems to be no last minute deal between the two parties.

Earl ALEXANDER
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