Eight Formula One teams have said they are planning to set up their own championship after failing to reach agreement with the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) on next year's rules.
The following factbox looks at some of the issues and likely scenarios ahead:
WHO ARE THE BREAKAWAY EIGHT?
Champions Ferrari, BMW-Sauber, Brawn GP, McLaren, Red Bull,
Renault, Toro Rosso and Toyota.
WHY NOT WILLIAMS AND FORCE INDIA?
They have already signed up unconditionally for the existing
championship. Former champions Williams say they had to for
contractual reasons, Force India because they might otherwise break
their banking covenants.
HOW MANY TEAMS ARE LEFT WITH FIA?
Williams, Force India and three newcomers - Campos, US F1, and
Manor - have been confirmed. There are a number of others on
standby to join but the FIA has postponed publication of a new
entry list pending legal action against the teams' association
(FOTA) and Ferrari.
WHY LEGAL ACTION?
The FIA says Ferrari, Red Bull and Toro Rosso are all
contractually bound to compete in their championship due to
existing agreements. The teams dispute this.
WHAT WILL THE EFFECT OF THAT BE?
By not publishing a new list, the FIA has at least kept the door
open to the teams coming back. Had replacements been named, that
would have complicated matters. However, any new teams do not have
long to play with if they are to design and build cars from
scratch. They will also not know for certain until the standoff is
resolved what rules apply.
WHAT ARE THE FOTA EIGHT UNHAPPY ABOUT?
The 2010 rules published by the FIA which include an optional 40
million pounds ($US65.4 million) budget cap and pave the way to a
possible two-tier series. Teams like Ferrari oppose the budget cap,
say it is set way too low and will be impossible to police.
They also do not want auditors going through their company accounts
and say it will be hard for carmakers to separate their racing
expenditure from other commercial activities.
SO IS IT JUST ABOUT MONEY?
No, the teams also have a big problem with the governance of the
sport. FIA president Max Mosley has said the rules can be changed
once the teams have entered unconditionally but they are reluctant
to take him at his word.
HOW LIKELY IS A BREAKAWAY REALLY?
There is still plenty of scope for a solution, but compromises
will have to be made. Mosley is dismissive of the teams' position:
"This is posturing and posing and it will stop before the start of
2010 and the first race of next season in Melbourne and settle
down," he told the BBC.
Others say Mosley may have to step down before anything really
moves. He has yet to decide whether to stand for re-election in
October. Commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone has a key role to
play in bringing the two sides together.
WHAT IS THE TIME FRAME?
The longer the uncertainty goes on, the more damage it does to the
sport. Teams will struggle to sign up new sponsors and do deals
until they know who and where they are racing. Drivers are
reluctant to commit to teams for the same reason. Circuits cannot
sell advance tickets for 2010. It is in everyone's interests to
have clarity as soon as possible.
IS THERE ANY RISK TO RACES THIS SEASON?
Not at this point. The teams say they owe it to the fans to keep
racing.
WHERE WOULD A BREAKAWAY SERIES RACE?
There are plenty of grand prix standard circuits around that have
been dropped from the calendar or are seeking to host a race. They
might include Silverstone, Imola, Montreal, Indianapolis,
Magny-Cours, Jerez and Dubai among others.
WHO GETS MONACO?
That would be key to the success of either championship, if it
comes to a split. Monaco and Ferrari are seen as Formula One's
crown jewels and the two are likely to stay together.
