Niamh O'Mahony
As part of our enhanced coverage on setanta.com, our journalists will be providing blog updates on all the big matches and talking points.
Based in Dublin, Niamh works as part of our rugby and motorsport teams, and will offer her regular insight and observations on a range of sporting topics.
Is a breakaway series that crazy?
Like many others, despite all the recent politicking and press statements, I always believed that the FIA and FOTA would reach some sort of conclusion to allow all teams to race in the Formula 1 World Championship next year.
However, the Formula One Teams’ Association’s move, on Thursday night, “to commence the preparation for a new Championship, (one) which reflects the values of it participants and partners” is a marked departure from events in the past.
It is plausible, given the number of aggrieved circuits around the world (Silverstone, Montreal, Indy, Imola, Magny-Cours among others) that a new series, albeit a shortened one, could be put together in time for 2010.
One of the major problems would be governance, however. Could eight teams run themselves in the ultimate competitive environment with millions at stake? On that issue I do agree with the FIA – any series needs an independent body to ensure equality and fairness.
However, the regularity with which rules are changed, how they are changed and the timetable for the introduction of the same changes are all massive issues and all have caused grief in recent seasons.