Formula one’s five leading manufacturers appear to be headed for a showdown with motor racing’s world governing body after announcing plans on Monday to form their own organisation and throw out the FIA’s international court of appeal.
The five — BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Honda, Renault and Toyota — are unhappy that the current appeals panel is linked to the governing body. They want to use an alternative organisation, such as the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, which deals with cases from many other sports.
The move comes after the FIA appeals court banned BAR-Honda for two races, including Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona, after Jenson Button’s car failed to meet minimum weight limits at the preceding San Marino Grand Prix.
The FIA appealed a decision by the race stewards to its own appeals panel and the manufacturers believe it’s fairer to use an independent body.
”One of [the] objectives is to have a definitive interpretation of the applicable regulations through an independent, readily accessible and swift appeals process, administered by an internationally recognised body, in accordance with the practice of other major sports,” the five manufacturers said in a statement.
The group, which is planning to launch its own rival series in 2008, also agreed to establish formally a new manufacturers’ association to represent its interests jointly.
Reacting to the manufacturers’ statement, the FIA said the standing and independence of its appeals procedure has been repeatedly recognised by the civil courts.
”No manufacturer, however large, will be allowed a concealed or unfair advantage,” the FIA said. ”Those unable or unwilling to accept this have no place in formula one.
”They should also understand that any sport is likely to impose further sanctions on a competitor which attacks the integrity of the governing body when caught breaking the rules.” — Sapa-AP