FIA feels vindicated by F1’s cost crisis
F1 is down to an 18-car grid – the first time since 2005 – for this weekend's United States Grand Prix in Austin after Caterham and Marussia fell into administration in the space of five days. Earlier this year FIA president Jean Todt was forced to abandon a proposed budget cap for 2015 due to opposition from the top teams in F1's Strategy Group, a decision which angered the sport's smallest outfits.
On Thursday the FIA released a statement saying it plans to continue working towards the goal of cutting costs in the sport.
"Looking beyond the end of the 2014 season, these failings once again acutely raise the question of the economic balance of the FIA Formula One Championship and justify the position, expressed many times by the FIA, in favor of any initiative that will help reduce costs in order to ensure the survival of the existing grid or attract potential new entrants.
"As such, the FIA, in close cooperation with FOM and the different stakeholders in F1, will continue to work towards maintaining the attraction of the championship and the equitable participation of the teams in it in the years to come."
The statement suggests Caterham and Marussia risk losing their F1 entries having missed races but insists the situation will be approached "with extreme care".
"It is the responsibility of the FIA stewards to determine whether or not a team has failed to fulfill its regulatory obligation to take part in all events on the calendar and to take whatever action they deem appropriate. However, we have every confidence that the stewards are fully aware of the financial situation of the teams concerned and these matters are always assessed with extreme care and due regard for the circumstances involved." ESPN F1