ISTANBUL // Flavio Briatore says the Formula One Teams' Assocation (FOTA) do not want a war with Max Mosley, the FIA President, over the future of the sport. The Renault team boss joined Stefano Domenicali, the Ferrari team principal, and Toyota chief John Howett yesterday to present a show of unity as the feud threatens to escalate. Mosley has warned the top teams they can organise their own championship if they cannot accept the proposed new regulations, including a budget cap, for next season.
It is a worrying situation fand Briatore said: "We want the system we've always had in Formula One. We want an F1 Commission, we want a Concorde Agreement, we want stability, we want cost cutting and F1 to be more efficient. "We don't want a war with Mr Mosley especially. We don't want a war with Mr Ecclestone. We don't want a war with anybody. We have the white flag, we are sitting back and just accept the bombardment we are getting. Sure we want F1 to be more cost efficient and it would be nice if we are working together to achieve the target."
Howett, who is vice chairman of FOTA, added: "The worst-case scenario would be to establish our own series, but FOTA has a list of scenarios based on the reaction and how the Federation moves forward." He also denied there was dissent among their ranks, although Force India could be suspended, like Williams, from the group for entering the 2010 championship by accepting the FIA's proposals. Howett will meet with Vijay Mallya, the Force India owner, today and said: "It is the intention to suspend them based on a face-to-face discussion."
In yesterday's two free practice sessions for tomorrow's Turkish Grand Prix, Heikki Kovalainen's McLaren-Mercedes set the fastest time. akhan@thenational.ae
