Formula One split
June 19, 2009
The dispute that has brought about the break-up is about rule changes that the FIA wants to introduce to the sport and, of course, money. The FIA has set budget caps on teams.
In reaction to the new regulations, eight teams that comprise the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) Tannounced on Thursday night that they would not bow to the FIA demands - and would form their own championship series instead.
On Friday, the FIA fired back, releasing a a statement announcing legal action against the renegade teams.
"The FIA's lawyers have now examined the FOTA threat to begin a breakaway series. The actions of FOTA as a whole, and Ferrari in particular, amount to serious violations of law including wilful interference with contractual relations, direct breaches of Ferrari's legal obligations and a grave violation of competition law," FIA said in a statement.
"The FIA will be issuing legal proceedings without delay."
Ferrari is tied to FIA racing by contract until 2012, but the team argues the contract is simply no longer binding as Ferrari was not consulted by FIA over the rule changes.
The eight teams involved are Ferrari, the only team in F1 since its inauguration in 1950, current championship leader Brawn GP, McLaren-Mercedes, BMW-Sauber, Toyota, Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Renault.
Independent teams Williams and Force India have accepted the new framework, along with three new teams, USF1, Campos and Manor.
ai/av/Reuters/dpa
Editor: Nick Amies/Susan Houlton