Williams oppose F1 expansion to 14 teams

SUZUKA, Japan: Former champions Williams have said they are against expanding the Formula One grid to 14 teams so that BMW-Sauber's new owners can be sure of a slot next season.

"There should only be 13 teams, that's what there always has been," team owner Frank Williams said at the Japanese Grand Prix.

"I would suggest they (Sauber) apply to be first reserve. That's the logical thing to do. It's illogical to change the rules suddenly for one extra person. And they may have a chance of getting in (as reserves) based on the gossip that's going around."

BMW have announced they are quitting the sport at the end of the season and have sold their Swiss-based team to Qadbak, a foundation representing unnamed Middle Eastern and European-based investors.

The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) has named Malaysian-backed Lotus as BMW's numerical replacements on the grid, with the Swiss team told it is the official reserve if anyone else pulls out.

FIA has also said it will consult the existing teams to see if they are willing to change the regulations to allow 14 teams.

Williams, whose team was once BMW's partner, said there was no provision for 14 teams in the confidential Concorde Agreement governing the sport and the issue should not even be discussed.

Reuters

(China Daily 10/05/2009 page11)