Red Bull Racing F1 Team Principal Christian Horner explained that "his team was not invited to the Formula One Team Association meeting on the morning of the Japanese Grand Prix, and therefore he does not know what was discussed," according to Frederik Hackbarth of MOTORSPORT MAGAZIN. Ten of the 12 F1 team principals met Sunday morning in Suzuka, Japan to discuss "urgent issues in regard to the racing series' future management structure, the potentially increased starting fees and cost reduction." The two teams that were not represented were Red Bull and its sister team Scuderia Toro Rosso, as "they were simply not invited." However, Ferrari and Sauber, which are both non-members of the team association, participated for the first time in a long time at the meeting. The "controversial decision" of FOTA to hold a meeting without Red Bull and Toro Rosso comes "only days ahead of an important meeting" between FOTA, FIA and F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone in Paris on Oct. 23. Horner said, "I don't even know what was talked about because I wasn't there -- therefore I can't commentate on it. We have the FOTA, which consists of some teams and not of others. I have no idea what was talked about, but whatever it was they obviously feel it doesn't concern Red Bull" (MOTORSPORT MAGAZIN, 10/9).
