Small F1 teams demand Abu Dhabi talks amid 'Super GP2' prospect
Formula 1's smaller teams have demanded urgent talks with Bernie Ecclestone in Abu Dhabi to prevent the sport being damaged by the "short-sighted" creation of a two-tier F1
This is amid concerns that plans to make increased payments to the small teams have been dropped in favour of a push for either customer cars or the plan to make teams run upgraded GP2 machinery that emerged last week.
In a letter to Bernie Ecclestone, Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley has requested the talks, which would also involve Lotus and Sauber. A copy was sent to all current F1 teams.
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It follows the lack of a resolution from Ecclestone's plan to raise the problem with CVC Capital Partners, which owns F1's commercial rights.
"From our meetings we noted positively that our concerns were acknowledged and there was a basis for a constructive dialogue," wrote Fernley in the letter, a copy of which has been shown to AUTOSPORT by a recipient team.
"However, after our meeting in Brazil we clearly see the direction of Formula 1 towards customer cars/super GP2.
"It is equally clear that the strategy group has no intention at all to reduce cost.
"We would like to highlight that we came to you primarily with the request to reduce costs.
"Due to the lack of interest in pursuing this target we then addressed the distribution of income as a way to absorb the higher costs."
Fernley also refuted suggestions that smaller teams' struggles were a consequence of poor management.
He stressed that 70-80 per cent of the income received from FOM is spent on the new-for-2014 power unit packages.
He also reiterated the desire of the teams to continue to operate as constructors and that only financial measures allowing them to do so would safeguard F1.
"The issues we are facing are related to financial matters which can only be resolved by financial measures," Fernley wrote.
"In our common interest and for a sustainable future of the sport, we request you, together with the other stakeholders, to implement a more equitable distribution.
"I would respectfully urge you to spare time over the weekend to meet with Monisha [Kaltenborn], Vijay [Mallya], Gerard [Lopez] and myself to find an equitable solution to the distribution of FOM funds with a view to presenting a proposal and reaching a consensus with all the stakeholders."
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