A French court will deliver its verdict on the Ferrari-backed bid to block controversial proposed changes to Formula One on Wednesday.
Ferrari are threatening to quit F1 unless the 2010 rules, which include a 40 million pounds (44.8m euros) budget cap on each team, are shelved.
One of Ferrari’s lawyers, Emmanuel Gaillard, told after Tuesday’s hearing at the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris that Ferrari had no other option but to turn to the courts.
As both sides eagerly awaited the verdict Michael Schumacher suggested it was inconceivable to imagine F1 without big teams like Ferrari.
“Formula One without the top constructors is not F1 at all but just any old inferior series,” the seven time champion told. AFP
FIA President Max Mosley has already indicated that his organisation will appeal should they lose the court case.
The controversy erupted when Mosley said that a 45 million euro ($A78.83 million) budget cap would be introduced for the new Formula One season.
The cap is not mandatory, but teams which keep to it will have all technical freedom in areas such as engines and aerodynamics. Teams which spend more money face restrictions. Sydney Morning Herald
The most popular team in the sport have threatened to walk away and Renault, Toyota and Red Bull’s are expected to follow if the rule changes go through.
One had to take action in the face of the global financial crisis that has already seen Honda depart before the start of this season.
The rule change would allow teams better technical freedom if they accept the cap than those wishing to stay with unlimited budgets. Some teams feel this would create a two-tier championship, effectively ruining the sport.
FIA president Max Mosley see’s things differently and had this to say “Simply being there and spending more money, it’s not fair, and it’s not really in their own interests.” Sky News
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