Friday, June 6, 2008

BMW and Honda ask FIA to act on split fears

Two teams in Formula 1, BMW-Sauber and Honda, have asked the FIA to calm fears of a possible split within the governing body over Max Mosley's win in the confidence vote faced earlier this week. Some of the teams feel upset over the decision and are threatning to leave the FIA if Mosley continues to serve as FIA President.

BMW Motorsport boss, Dr. Mario Theissen was the first to chime in on the subject: "We respect the decision of the FIA, but it is now a very critical situation for the FIA - between it and its membership clubs. And apparently this does not only affect the FIA, but also external partners like the car industry or motorsport. But none the less, only the FIA can solve this situation. So we respect the decision and now we have to see how it develops."

"I think it depends on what goes on in the coming weeks, within the FIA. It is quite critical. But what we will see now, is that this controversial situation between the FIA and the membership clubs will certainly make people aware of the fact that the FIA is not in the first instance motorsport. It is in the first instance a worldwide body for the motoring clubs."

"We expect that the FIA as a body sticks to its role and handles it professionally, which means governing motorsport - governing F1 and the other series," Theissen added. "We also expect the current initiatives of cost reduction and introduction of future technology to be carried on and to be really put in place."

Honda boss Nick Fry agreed with Theissen's views on the matter and hope that these shenanigans would end quickly.

"We recognise that the FIA reached its decision following due process," Fry said. "However, the reaction of motoring clubs around the world demonstrates a genuine concern about the extent to which the President of the FIA is able to carry out his role following these events. Despite the strong contributions Max has made to the sport, we share this concern and we would wish to see a speedy end to the current instability."

I hope so too.

BMW, Honda urge FIA to act on split fear (Autosport.com)

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