Half of FOTA Teams Disagree with 14th Entry - Williams

Williams F1 Team clearly don't want to make themselves viewed as the black sheep within the Great Circle. Following recent reports that the Grove based team is practically the only member of the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) objecting the 14th entry from BMW Sauber, the team's head of engineering Patrick Head begged to differ.

According to the 64-year old British official, there are at least half of teams currently part of the FOTA that would disagree with an extra entry to the 2010 Formula One championship.

BMW Sauber's sellout took place soon after the FIA closed the 2010 entry list – having already accepted Lotus F1 Team as their 13th entry for next year – with the Hinwil based operations being purchased by Swiss foundation Qadbak. Although the FIA promised the German manufacturer to do everything it can to secure their presence in the 2010 championship, the ruling body still needs to have the approval of all F1 teams currently involved in the sport.

“From what we understand there are at least half a dozen other team principals who have declared to us that they hold exactly the same (view). They're all saying 'well done Frank (Williams), you said exactly what we think and good on you for doing it'. It is not true that we are the only (opposing) team,” said Head, according to a report from the GMM news agency.

Prior to the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend, BMW's motorsport director Mario Theissen revealed that he doesn't understand Williams' position over the matter. In response to this, Head insisted that Williams' stance is not personal, but only based on common sense.

“I understand some of the new teams coming in have been have been asked to operate their pit out in the open on the grass in Australia next year. It's nothing against Sauber, nothing against Peter Sauber, nothing against BMW. It wouldn't matter who the 14th team was, we don't feel it's appropriate,” added the Brit.