Stoddart: Rules Process has No Credibility

Formula One's governing body ignored a boycott by most teams on Friday to set out a timetable for approval of the sport's 2008 technical regulations.

While carmakers are threatening to start up their own series from the end of 2007, the FIA said it would finalise a first draft of the rules for its Championship by May 27.

The draft would then be circulated to the 'main stakeholders', including potential teams and current drivers, on July 1 subject to approval by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council on June 29.

No details were given about who was at the meeting in Paris. However, sources said champions Ferrari, newcomers Red Bull and Jordan were present along with Formula One commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone and FIA president Max Mosley.

The attendance of Red Bull and Jordan, both under new ownership this year, would be a clear split in the group of nine teams who have isolated Ferrari since last October in a row over testing and the sport's future.

Ferrari alone attended the last meeting called by the FIA in London in January.

"The line has really been drawn in the sand now," Stoddart, who has taken on the role of unofficial coordinator of the nine teams, told Reuters. "When you have five manufacturers and the two oldest established independent teams not going, that sends out a clear enough message."

Ferrari have joined the FIA and Ecclestone in agreeing an extension to 2012 of the sport's existing commercial agreement, which expires at the end of 2007.

Renault, BMW, Mercedes, Honda and Toyota met the nine teams last week, where they agreed not to go to Paris.

"This is an attempt to bypass the vast majority of the teams, the manufacturers and the two longest serving independents," said Stoddart of the FIA statement.

"The whole process has no credibility and will only have credibility when all of the teams currently competing in Formula One sit down and discuss it properly."

The Australian entrepreneur said the FIA's actions also went against procedures set out in the confidential 'Concorde Agreement'. The FIA said all of the stakeholders would be invited to submit written comments no later than July 31.

"These comments will be considered by the FIA in consultation with all stakeholders who confirm their commitment to the 2008 Formula One World Championship," it added.

Ferrari are the only team in that position at present.

Other parties include Formula One Management, now controlled by the three banks who own 75 percent of the holding company SLEC that owns the commercial rights, race organisers and promoters and potential engine and tyre suppliers.

The FIA said a final draft would then be prepared by September 23 for inclusion in the dossier for the World Motor Sport Council meeting to be held on October 26.