FIA leaves door open for teams

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The FIA has left the door open to five of the current Formula One teams to enter the sport for next year.

McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber and Brawn GP have been named on the entry list for 2010, albeit they now have a week to submit an unconditional entry.

Motor sport's world governing body has confirmed that Manor Grand Prix, Campos Grand Prix and Team US F1 are the three new teams on the grid from next season.

Ferrari have been given an entry, but that could now prompt a legal battle as they, along with the other seven members of the Formula One Teams' Association, initially submitted conditional entries.

Red Bull Racing and sister team Toro Rosso have also been handed an entry by the FIA, who will argue they and Ferrari are contractually obliged to be involved.

However, Ferrari have already argued the FIA invalidated a contract agreed in 2005 as president Max Mosley failed to keep his side of the deal by not consulting with the teams over the rule changes.

Williams and Force India have places on the 2010 grid, although that is no surprise as they opted to split from FOTA and submit conditional entries due to binding contracts of their own.

The battle with Ferrari could run throughout the summer, but as far as McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber and Brawn GP are concerned, they now have seven days to decide which way to go.

If they fail to submit a conditional entry, the FIA will return to the pool of potential new entrants as they are determined to have a 26-car grid in place for next year.

At present, further due diligence is currently taking place on the other possible entries should further positions become available.

It means the furore sparked by Mosley's desire to introduce a cost cap for next season will continue for another week at least.

In a bid to slash spending and introduce fresh blood into F1, the 69-year-old initially announced a voluntary £40million budget cap, prompting uproar amongst the current teams.

It would have established a two-tier F1, with the new teams working within the cap being allowed a degree of technical freedom, whilst for those outside they would have been forced to apply this year's rules.

Yet despite a number of discussions over the course of the past few weeks, some heated, and some with a willingness to compromise at times, no middle ground was ever found.

FOTA's unity was eventually split when Williams were the first to pull out citing the fact they were contractually tied to the FIA, and in particular, Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management.

Force India followed suit ahead of last weekend's Turkish Grand Prix, reducing the FOTA membership to just eight.

Led by Ferrari president and FOTA chairman Luca di Montezemolo, a threat of a breakaway series has been discussed.

However, the FIA's defiant stance is that Ferrari, along with Red Bull and Toro Rosso, have binding contracts that tie them to the sport.

Di Montezemolo is certain to continue to fight his team's cause, although Red Bull magnate Dietrich Mateschitz may waver given his close friendship with Mosley.

As for the other five, the clock has now started ticking, only this time there will be no second chance as they must accede to the FIA's demands otherwise they are out.

It means F1 faces the prospect next year of being without world champion Lewis Hamilton, and the man likely to succeed him this season in Jenson Button.

As the FIA noted in a statement: "These five teams have submitted conditional entries.

"The FIA has invited them to lift those conditions following further discussions to be concluded not later than close of business on Friday 19 June."

As expected, Ferrari have confirmed they have no intention of taking part in next year's world championship until, in their own words, "the conditions of its entry are satisfied."

A statement issued by Ferrari added: "Following publication of the list of entries for the 2010 Formula One World Championship, which includes Ferrari as an unconditional entrant, Ferrari wishes to state the following: Ferrari submitted on 29 May 2009 an entry to the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship which is subject to certain conditions.

"As of today, these conditions have not been met. Notwithstanding this and despite Ferrari's previous written notice to the FIA not to do so, the FIA has included Ferrari as an unconditional participant in next year's Formula One World Championship.

"For the avoidance of any doubt, Ferrari reaffirms that it shall not take part in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship under the regulations adopted by the FIA in violation of Ferrari's rights under a written agreement with the FIA."

Red Bull Racing have followed Ferrari's lead by reaffirming their commitment to FOTA.

A team statement read: "Following the FIA's publication of the entry list for the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship, Red Bull Racing would like to make it clear its entry was submitted as a conditional entry, consistent with those of all other FOTA members.

"Red Bull Racing remains committed to FOTA and fully endorses all its principles."