The FIA has moved to separate to the prosecution and judgement functions in disciplinary matters – and US F1 could be the first competitor to be face action under the new system.
The FIA World Motor Sport Council announced the measure after it met in Bahrain on Thursday on the eve of the first race of the season.
Recent judgements by the WMSC have caused some controversy because former FIA President Max Mosley was widely regarded as having had too much power when he in effect fulfilled the roles of ‘judge, jury and executioner.’ His successor Jean Todt had pledged to make things more transparent.
A statement said: “The FIA President exercises the function of prosecution. He conducts the inquiries and decides to bring a matter before the judging body of the WMSC when he considers that there is reason to do so.
“The judging body of the WMSC is made up of all the Council members with the exception of any member who has taken part in the inquiry or investigation. It is chaired by the FIA Deputy President for Sport.
“Any decision of the judging body is taken in the absence of the FIA President, the reporter, and any person who has taken part in any way whatsoever in the inquiry or investigation.
“Any disciplinary decision of the World Council is subject to appeal before the FIA International Court of Appeal.”
The WMSC also looked at the failure of USF1 to show up this season, and the body has “mandated the World Council mandated the FIA President, in full compliance with the new code of practice for disciplinary matters, to take forward the most appropriate action.”
That doesn’t sound too promising for Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor, and clearly doesn’t bode well for their chances of being granted an entry for 2011.
The WMSC also confirmed that a process choosing that entry will soon be opened. It also said that a reserve would be chosen, which is a new step.
The WMSC also said that “subject to final approval of the calendar by the World Council, Mr Bernie Ecclestone, President of FOM, has informed the FIA that India will host a Formula One event in 2011.”
Meanwhile Michael Schumacher has been appointed as Drivers’ Representative for the Circuits Commission, and Karun Chandhok has – on the eve of his debut – been granted a Superlicence.
The FIA has also decided to rotate its December meetings and prizegiving ceremony. This year’s will still be held in Monaco but Dr Vijay Mallya has volunteered India as a possible host for 2011, although no decision has been taken.
Adam Cooper F1 
Restitution is a bitch.
If it means a monetary fine against the company then presumably the company is or will be bankrupt and they’ll just have to get in line with other creditors in liquidation? If it means KA/PW will never be able to run another entry, then I’m not sure whether that wasn’t already the case anyway, so not really sure what they can do to these two. Is just curious whether they didn’t cut a deal with Stefan and at least salvage something, or were they really so naive about the whole thing even with quite a bit of $$ on the line…. Very strange…
I would guess that USF1 has/had conflicting existing contracts; Toyota – Cosworth to name the obvious conflicting contract. I’m sure there were others.
No worries… Nick Craw will save Ken and Peter… Why, he’s still sure that USF1 will be in Bahrain to race. They put up their entrance fee, so that’s all the proof he needs that they’re a serious operation…
So will the FIA/WMSC go after Toyota for the same thing (signing the Concorde Agreement but not making the 2010 grid at Bahrain)?
The only question that bothers me from this piece of news, is which track will be removed so that it would be possible to grant Indian GP its’ slot in next years calendar. Any ideas about that? Or they will futher extend races to 20 a year?
In my opinion, they could swap circuits between India and Korea, like they did with Fuji/Suzuka and Hockenlheim/Nurburgring.
I think the plan is to extend to 20. But I really wish Bernie would ditch one or two of the races outside Europe…
Adam, is there any sign of Peter Windsor in the paddock? I am wondering whether he will revert back to his journalistic/media role within the paddock or whether we have seen the last of him, which would be very very sad for all (and him too).
Not sad at all. If we never see or hear from Peter Windsor again the world will be a happier place.
Richard, Why do you say that? What did Windsor do to you, my goodness. Is it his fault that they were unable to get the funding to finish the job? It’s all about $$’s and they simply didn’t have enough, especially when the FIA can’t enforce spending caps. What economy are you living through? Everybody needs to get off their pulpit and calm down about USF1 and just wish them the best in the future.
a number of things come to mind.
toyota wasnt penalized for failure to fulfill its obligations.
Williams protested customer cars,foiling McLarens B team, Does Dallara hold the intelectual rights to the Hispania car? Is it a valid entry?
Lotus and Virgin were constructors in there own right prior,with the equipt in place to produce a car as it was their business
so USF1 was the only new team to truely start from scratch
and if i followed this correctly,USF1 entered into this “contract” with theFIA with the agreement that a 40 million cap was in place.
a number of the details changed after the spot was given to USF1,all out of USF1’s control ie. Concord etc. So who is really in breech of contract
Usf1 could complain the rules werechanged on them
Lifetime ban on Ken and Peter, and then a new USF1 team will emerge from the ruble to place an entry?
Ban from what exactly? Being a team shareholder?
Seems a bit pointless. If you are gonna go along those lines how about banning Chad Hurley from being a sponsor because he didn’t have the gonads to see it all through with $$$.
Windsor was the Sporting Director and from what I understand was not in the loop as to what was (or was not) going on with the car (nee toaster).
the FIA can “get in line” with regards to collecting any money….I’m sure it will/is a long one…