F1: FOTA Weakened As Sauber Heads For Exit

Formula 1

F1: FOTA Weakened As Sauber Heads For Exit

Formula One Teams Association shrinks more...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted December 07, 2011 Balen (BEL)

Sauber is the latest team to leave the Formula One Teams Association. (Photo: Getty Images)

Sauber has followed Ferrari and Red Bull as the latest team to signal its intention to leave the Formula One Teams Association – leaving the organization further weakened.

The Swiss outfit told its fellow members before yesterday’s meeting in England.

A spokesperson told SPEED.com: “The Sauber F1 Team has declared its departure from FOTA last Friday. The team has informed FOTA about the reason for the decision.”

In the past Sauber has been known to often support Ferrari’s stance on political issues, but sources say that the team told its fellow members that this wasn't the case on this occasion.

With HRT having left long ago FOTA now has eight members among the 12 teams.

Toro Rosso did not have a representative at Tuesday’s meeting, but there is no official word as to whether the Italian team is also on the way out. Given its Red Bull and Ferrari connections such a move would not be a huge surprise.

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