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F1 list triggers more controversy
FIA publish 2010 season entries but Ferrari stick to their guns.
Last Modified: 12 Jun 2009 12:30 GMT

Ferrari were included on the list as 'unconditional' entries [GALLO/GETTY]

The crisis over next year's Formula One season is set to continue following the publication of a controversial 2010 entry list that includes all 10 current teams as well as newcomers from America and Spain.

The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) have made it clear in a statement that a long-running standoff that has threatened to disrupt the sport over next year's rules was far from over.

It announced that championship leaders Brawn GP, BMW-Sauber, world champion Lewis Hamilton's McLaren team, Renault and Toyota were all only provisional entries and could still be shut out if agreement was not reached by next Friday.

They were "invited to lift their conditions" after further discussions to be concluded by June 19, with other would-be entrants waiting to step in should there be no agreement.

Newcomers announced

Spain's Campos Grand Prix and the American-based US F1 and Manor Grand Prix operations were the confirmed newcomers with due diligence still being carried out on others who missed out initially.

Those not selected included Kuwaiti-backed Prodrive, former competitors Lola and others seeking to revive the renowned Brabham and Lotus names.

Former champions Williams and tail-enders Force India, both suspended from the teams' association Fota for breaking ranks, are the only current teams to have entered unconditionally.

Champions Ferrari and the two Red Bull teams were also deemed to be unconditional entries by the FIA in a controversial step after days of feverish speculation about who would be on the list.

The three are all members of Fota, who submitted a joint entry conditional on the 2010 rules being rewritten and a new commercial agreement signed by Friday.

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa has had a frustrating season [EPA]
Ferrari furious

Ferrari, who had warned the FIA not to include them as an automatic entry, reiterated their position in forceful terms after the announcement:

"For the avoidance of any doubt, Ferrari reaffirms that it shall not take part in the 2010 Formula One world championship under the regulations adopted by the FIA in violation of Ferrari's rights under a written agreement with the FIA," the Italian team said.

Red Bull said in a separate statement that its entry was submitted as a conditional one and both its teams were committed to Fota.

The FIA, who want to bring in an optional $66.02 million budget cap, maintain that Ferrari and the two Red Bull teams have an existing contract obliging them to compete until 2012.

Ferrari have threatened to end 60 years of unbroken involvement in the sport and walk away if their conditions are not met, with president Luca di Montezemolo saying the budget cap would create an unacceptable two-tier series.

FIA president Max Mosley has remained adamant that a budget cap must be introduced to allow new teams in and protect the sport from the effects of the credit crunch.

Source:
Agencies
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