The Formula One Teams’ Association (FOTA) was founded in 2008 as a united body to negotiate rules, regulations and other F1 admin with the likes of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration president and CEO Bernie Ecclestone and international motorsport governing body, the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile). But just a few years after forming, FOTA has officially disbanded.
According to a statement released by the organization, the teams represented had “re-evaluated their requirements in the face of a changing political and commercial landscape in Formula One.” Initially, the group was presided over by Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo until the Scuderia withdrew from the organization, then by McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh until he was replaced by his predecessor – Ron Dennis.
FOTA caused a stir in Grand Prix circles in 2009 when it threatened to leave F1 and form a renegade World Championship. The FIA eventually relented to the group’s demands, but the constant disagreements (mostly around revised budgets) resulted in the loss of Ferrari, Sauber, Red Bull and Toro Ross – while Williams and Force India rejoined.
The organization had its roots in the former Formula One Constructors Association (FOCA), which was founded in 1974 by the likes of Brabham, Lotus, McLaren and Williams. Ecclestone and former FIA president Max Mosley were CEO and legal advisor.