BMW exit 'could have been avoided'

BMW's exit from Formula One could have been avoided had some team bosses been less resistant to cost-cutting regulations, Formula One's governing body the FIA has said.

In a statement, the International Automobile Federation expressed regret but no surprise at the Munich-based carmaker's decision to leave at the end of the year.

"It has been clear for some time that motorsport cannot ignore the world economic crisis," the FIA said after BMW announced they would pull out at the end of 2009 as a team and engine supplier.

"Car manufacturers cannot be expected to continue to pour large sums of money into Formula One when their survival depends on redundancies, plant closures and the support of the taxpayer," it added. "This is why the FIA prepared regulations to reduce costs drastically... Had these regulations not been so strongly opposed by a number of team principals, the withdrawal of BMW and further such announcements in the future might have been avoided."

BMW's announcement came just as the teams, the FIA and the commercial rights holders were preparing to sign a new 'Concorde' agreement binding them to the sport until at least the end of 2012.

The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), which groups all the sport's five current manufacturers including BMW, said it was prepared to help the former Sauber team survive.

"FOTA teams have immediately consulted each other and are ready to assure all the necessary support to the Swiss-based team, whose membership in the association is confirmed, to continue its involvement (in Formula 1)," said FOTA secretary-general Simone Perillo.

Toyota, whose future has been the source of much speculation after Honda pulled out in December, said it remained committed.

"Through cost reduction we will continue our Formula One activities," said a spokesman from Toyota Motor Corporation.

Ferrari said its team would "continue to engage itself wholeheartedly for a new era in Formula One."

A Mercedes motorsport spokesman said the decision by their great German rivals "has no influence on our Formula One engagement."

The FIA said new regulations would make it easier for teams to enter and for existing ones to compete for far less money, even if the measures did not go as far as the governing body wanted.

"Hopefully it will be enough to prevent further withdrawals and provide a solid foundation for Formula One," it said.

BMW Sauber's German driver Nick Heidfeld said the news was totally unexpected but he would do his best for the rest of the season.

"As for my personal future, I will continue talks, taking into account the new conditions," he said.