08/07/2010
NEWS STORY
Just when it seemed that all was hunky dory in the F1 paddock, a row has broken out over sponsors logos on team motorhome tractor units and Bernie Ecclestone calls the teams' alliance a waste of time.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Ecclestone made his feelings about the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) crystal clear.
"It will never work because it is made up of teams that fight against each other," he said. "When they look at the rules, they all try to get an advantage. The teams wanted to divide F1 but now they understand that it is good to give importance to the money that they get. There is no space for FOTA."
Stepping up the pressure, the teams have been asked to remove their motorhome tractors from the Silverstone paddock in a row over sponsors logos. Allsport, the company in charge of the sport's hospitality and trackside advertising, is understood to be concerned at the abundance of advertising logos on the units - and in the team garages - for which it is not paid but claims to have the rights.
Last month, in a letter to the teams, Allsport pointed out that it owns the space in the garages and paddock, however, this was seen as a negotiating tactic against those teams pushing for better terms from the tyre deal which hadn't been settled at that time.
Bernie Ecclestone claims that the dispute is a matter between Allsport and the teams, and while he is not on the board of the company his comment is widely seen as disingenuous.