Friday 24 October 2014

Teams won't be obliged to run three cars in 2015

(Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

The FIA has confirmed that they will not not force teams to run three cars next season if the grid loses a team as serious concerns remain over the future of the Caterham F1 Team as it looks increasingly likely that the Leafield based outfit will not be on the grid for the next race of the season, the United States Grand Prix which takes place at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin Texas next weekend.

Concerns have also been raised about the future of both the Marussia and Sauber F1 Teams. Marussia ran just one car in Russia two weeks ago however this had absolutely nothing to do with the financial situation at the team but was done as a mark of respect to Jules Bianchi and his family who continues to be treated for the injuries that he sustained at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The team stated that after consulting with the family they felt it was the the right thing to do. Marussia F1 Team president Graeme Lowdon has confirmed that the Banbury based outfit will race on for Jules and his family and have every intention to see out the 2014 season however the future of the team beyond this season is unclear.

The current Concorde Agreement states that if the Formula One grid drops below 20 cars then the FIA can invite teams to run three cars however the agreement stipulates that teams need at least 60 days notice which would rule out a team running a third car this season put could potentially run three next season.

It is unlikely that this will happen however due to the extra costs involved in running a third car and also the restriction on team personnel attending Grand Prix events.

© Ben Johnston 2014 

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