F1 teams challenge new rules

F1 teams challenge new rules

McLaren feels it was not properly consulted over the rule changes

Formula One teams Williams and McLaren are to challenge the new rule changes that have been brought in by the FIA, the sport's governing body.

The two teams believe that the FIA is in breach of the contract that covers the running of the World Championship and will seek arbitration over the matter.

But they are resigned to competing under the new rules in 2003 as they expect the process to take at least a year.

Dennis takes aim at Minardi

"The FIA is trying to 'dumb down' Formula One," said McLaren boss Ron Dennis.

"It has introduced sweeping new regulations for the 2003 season without proper consultation with the teams.

"We want Formula One to be stable, well run and professionally administered to ensure the continued success of the sport."

We can promise the fans we will be trying our very best to win and beat everybody else this season

Frank Williams

The FIA issued a terse statement expressing confidence that their position would be upheld and sources within the federatioon sources said the teams' move was regrettable but not unexpected.

The season starts in Australia on 9 March with a raft of changes, including one lap qualifying and no refuelling between qualifying and the race.

Williams and McLaren believe the following changes being proposed by the FIA have serious implications for safety:

Reducing the time available for the teams to carry out detailed checks between qualifying and racing from 18.5 hours to 2.5 hours.

Eliminating telemetry, which enables the teams to monitor the cars for any serious defects that occur during the race.

Rule changes explained

"It's like unplugging the patient from the monitoring system," said Dennis.

"If a component on the car is going to fail that can lead either to an accident, or an engine failure or an oil spillage which can put another car off the circuit.

"We can't see it doing anything other than making motor racing more dangerous and in some instances just dumbing down grand prix racing."

THE ARBITRATION PROCESS

Venue: Switzerland

Timescale: 12 months approx

Hearing behind closed doors

Under English law

International Chamber of Commerce rules

Williams added: "This team in 1970 lost Piers Courage at the Dutch Grand Prix and more recently lost Ayrton Senna at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.

"When these episodes have occurred, they never leave your mind or your psychology."

Williams denied that the arbitration process would take anything away from the fans' enjoyment of the sport this season.

"Changes have been imposed. Our only resolution for having them altered is to go through arbitration, which is what today's situation is about," he said.

"In the meantime the drivers accept what they have to do. The show must go on in every sense of that word.

"That's certainly what we can promise the fans. We will be racing and trying our very best to win and beat everybody else."