Theissen: FOTA keeping 'all options open' (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Theissen: FOTA keeping 'all options open'

9:26am Friday 10th July 2009 in

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BMW Sauber boss Mario Theissen has confirmed FOTA are keeping "all options open" as their row with the FIA rumbles on.

The peace agreement struck in Paris just over two weeks ago between FIA president Max Mosley, Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone and FOTA chairman Luca di Montezemolo has crumbled within the past two days.

"All three parties are negotiating, almost permanently now, making slow but steady progress, but we are not there yet," said Theissen.

"We still don't have an agreement, so we cannot sit back and wait," he added. "We have to keep all options open, which means we have to look at other courses (of action) as well."

The situation has not been helped by what Theissen has described as "irritating elements", arguably di Montezemolo for initally crowing in the wake of the £40million budget cap being scrapped, and Mosley for responding in a seemingly childish manner.

Although there is confidence the matter will be resolved within the next fortnight, whilst a degree of uncertainty remains, so does the threat of a breakaway series.

Referring specifically to a breakaway, Theissen added: "We are still looking into this. We did stop for a few days (after agreement was reached) until we recognised we were not where we thought we were.

"There are some irritating elements that rocked the boat again, and that applies to us as well, so you cannot really be sure where you are.

"If you look at the overall picture, then we have made significant progress.

"We might come to a conclusion, as the FIA indicate, within a few days, it might take a few weeks, or we might finally find out there is no agreement and we have to prepare for other possibilities."