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Williams en Mclaren bijten van zich af:

McLaren and Williams are joining forces to the take the FIA to arbitration over the latest regulation changes.

Both Ron Dennis and Sir Frank Williams are angry at the way new regulations, such as the banning of driver aids and bi-directional telemetry, have been implemented by FIA President Max Mosley.

And the teams believe that the FIA is in breach of the Concorde Agreement, the contract that covers the running of the world championship.

Central to their objections is what they perceive to be an undermining of 'the fundamental values of Formula 1 as the pinnacle of motorsport and a technological showcase'.

They are also concerned that the changes could increase the safety risk for drivers.

Ron Dennis said, “The FIA is trying to ‘dumb down’ Formula 1. It has introduced sweeping new regulations for the 2003 season without proper consultation with the Teams.

"We want Formula 1 to be stable, well run and professionally administered to ensure the continued success of the sport.”

“There is no doubt that F1 needs to change and evolve and McLaren and WilliamsF1 have always played a constructive role in initiating and supporting positive measures to improve our sport.

"Sensible proposals are already on the table. At a meeting on 4th December 2002, the Formula One Teams agreed to introduce a range of measures that would have reduced costs and given the smaller teams the necessary support to ensure their participation for the whole of the 2003 season.

"These measures included the prohibition of qualifying cars, an acceptance of standard materials and equipment and an arrangement with a number of manufacturers to supply low cost engines to the independent teams.”

In the joint statement, Frank Williams said, “Some of these changes are against the spirit of F1, its restless drive for excellence and its need to live on the technological cutting edge.

"We believe that the FIA are taking an unnecessarily pessimistic view of the future. The FIA’s proposals will remove and destroy many aspects and facets of our sport that have helped it prosper and thrive in the last 20 years.

"They are damaging to the very nature of F1 and limit its differentiation from other forms of motor sport.”

“It is misleading to suggest that F1 is in crisis – it remains a uniquely popular and highly successful sport.

"Unfortunately, only a fraction of those revenues generated by F1 remain in the sport and go to the teams.

"Addressing this issue is the surest way of delivering stable and successful independent teams.”

The dramatic move presents a serious problem for Max Mosley and the FIA. Such a public challenge to their authority is unparallelled in modern F1.

bron: www.itv-f1.com