Lotus and Manor join the FOTA

‘The Formula One Teams Association’, otherwise known as FOTA, has approved the membership applications of the Lotus and Manor teams. The association will indeed represent all the teams present on the 2010 grid. The FOTA executive committee met earlier this week for the final discussions on the future of F1. Also on the agenda was the ratification of the applications of the two new Formula 1 teams.

Sources have confirmed that the membership of the two teams, namely Lotus and Manor, has been unanimously approved. This means these two are following the other new entrants, Campos Meta and USF1. The FOTA is now made up of 14 teams because Toyota is still a member even after withdrawing from the sport. This is the first time since last May, with Williams’ withdrawal from FOTA, that the organization represents every team on the grid.

The executive committee also confirmed that the election of the new presidents will take place next month since the terms of the current leaders Luca di Montezemolo and John Howett expire at the end of the year. Work is also continuing on plans for a common vehicle to be launched next year, which teams could test in February.

It is understood that the FOTA representatives are meeting with Bernie Ecclestone and the shareholders this week to discuss the concept being studied to help further reduce costs.