HRT confirms FOTA split

Despite ongoing discussions about framing a new Resource Restriction Agreement (RRA) to keep costs in F1 under control and aid the smaller teams, HRT reckons there is no benefit to it being a part of FOTA.

The exact circumstances of its departure are unclear, however. Sources suggest that back in December, HRT was suspended from the organisation because it had not paid its €100,000 yearly fee.

FOTA secretary general Simone Perillo said about the situation: "I can confirm that the Hispania Racing F1 Team did not fulfil its 2010 FOTA membership fee obligations."

However, team principal Colin Kolles insists that by the time HRT was suspended it had already decided to leave because it could not see the point in remaining a member.

"The truth is we left because FOTA defends only the interests of the big teams," Kolles told Gazzetta dello Sport about the background to HRT's decision.

"For example, it doesn't divide the extra points revenues in equal parts as planned. The difference in TV rights revenues seems excessive between 10th place, which gets $36 million, and 11th which gets $10 million. So why should the entry fee be equal for everyone?"