The Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) has officially disbanded after six years.
It was originally formed in 2008 to give all teams a united voice in discussions with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA regarding their future in the sport.
The organisation rose to prominence in June 2009 after the group responded to former FIA president Max Mosley's cost cap plans by proposing the 'Grand Prix World Championship' breakaway series.
It had commitment from all the teams on the grid when it was set up, but at the time of being disbanded only seven of the current 11 teams remained: Mercedes, Lotus, McLaren, Force India, Williams, Caterham and Marussia.
The power of FOTA was diminished considerably in February 2011 when Ferrari, Red Bull and Sauber quit the group following disagreements over the enforcement of the Resource Restriction Agreement (RRA).
It carried on without them, under the leadership of Martin Whitmarsh, and worked with the remaining teams on a number of areas in the sport. These included testing agreements and hosting a series of popular fan forums ahead of race weekends.
The future of the group was heavily speculated prior to Friday's announcement, following the formation of the F1 Strategy Group and the uncertainty surrounding Whitmarsh's future in the sport, but the remaining teams eventually decided to cease the organisation.
FOTA's secretary general Oliver Weingarten confirmed the news. "I can confirm that FOTA has been disbanded, as a result of its members having re-evaluated their requirements in the face of a changing political and commercial landscape in Formula 1," he tweeted.
I personally feel the organisation's disbandment is a great shame, not only because it shows the teams can not work together to improve the direction of F1, but also because I attended last year's FOTA Fans Forum prior to the British Grand Prix.
The event, which was held in central London, gave fans the fantastic opportunity to quiz senior team members and drivers, as well as letting them share their views on the sport.
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| © FOTA |
The organisation rose to prominence in June 2009 after the group responded to former FIA president Max Mosley's cost cap plans by proposing the 'Grand Prix World Championship' breakaway series.
It had commitment from all the teams on the grid when it was set up, but at the time of being disbanded only seven of the current 11 teams remained: Mercedes, Lotus, McLaren, Force India, Williams, Caterham and Marussia.
The power of FOTA was diminished considerably in February 2011 when Ferrari, Red Bull and Sauber quit the group following disagreements over the enforcement of the Resource Restriction Agreement (RRA).
It carried on without them, under the leadership of Martin Whitmarsh, and worked with the remaining teams on a number of areas in the sport. These included testing agreements and hosting a series of popular fan forums ahead of race weekends.
The future of the group was heavily speculated prior to Friday's announcement, following the formation of the F1 Strategy Group and the uncertainty surrounding Whitmarsh's future in the sport, but the remaining teams eventually decided to cease the organisation.
FOTA's secretary general Oliver Weingarten confirmed the news. "I can confirm that FOTA has been disbanded, as a result of its members having re-evaluated their requirements in the face of a changing political and commercial landscape in Formula 1," he tweeted.I personally feel the organisation's disbandment is a great shame, not only because it shows the teams can not work together to improve the direction of F1, but also because I attended last year's FOTA Fans Forum prior to the British Grand Prix.
The event, which was held in central London, gave fans the fantastic opportunity to quiz senior team members and drivers, as well as letting them share their views on the sport.
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