Ferrari Threatens To Leave F1 Championship Over Dispute With FIA

Ferrari Claims Proposed Regulation Changes Would Violate Terms Of Contract

IN THE PITS: Toyota Friday reported its "first losses in nearly six decades," and Toyota Racing President John Howett said that his team "could not commit" to F1 next year. Howett: "Under the rules as they are published, we cannot submit an entry. There are concerns about the governance process within the sport" (London TELEGRAPH, 5/10). Also, REUTERS' Alastair Himmer reported Super Aguri has "emphatically quashed media speculation of a shock return to Formula One, a year after financial difficulties forced the Japanese team to quit the circuit." Former Super Aguri co-Owner Fumio Akita said, "Even without the world financial crisis and its effect on Japan's economy we couldn't afford it." Himmer notes Super Aguri withdrew from F1 after a "promised major sponsorship deal collapsed and backers Honda were not prepared to offer long-term support" (REUTERS, 5/11). Meanwhile, Ecclestone has "revealed a second American team is looking to join" F1 next season. U.S. Grand Prix Engineering announced their "potential entry earlier this year, although confirmation of that will have to wait for the political row between the current teams and the FIA to be resolved" (TELEGRAPH.co.uk, 5/9).

PAYMENT PLAN: Corpcom and Formula One Administration have launched the F1 Card, the official payment card of F1. The card will be released in select markets throughout '09 and worldwide in '10 (F1).

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