Schumacher blames FIA for F1 row and fancies new series (Extra)

Jun 20, 2009, 9:03 GMT

Hamburg - Record world champion Michael Schumacher on Saturday blamed the ruling body FIA for a bitter row in Formula One racing and said a possible new series set up by leading teams could be a real alternative to the current system.

'It is simply not understandable that all teams share their view on how to approach the reforms and the governing body still wants to implement something else,' the former Ferrari star and seven-time champion Schumacher said on his website.

'Of course this seems unimaginable in the first moment, but this time all big teams stick together. This makes a new championship much more realistic.

'It is starting to be a real alternative to me. As a motorsport fan I want to watch the best show which is where the best drivers and the best teams compete with each other.'

Led by Ferrari, eight teams organized in the FOTA body are at odds with the FIA and its president Max Mosley over a budget cap row.

The FOTA announced early Friday it will split from F1 and form a breakaway series. FIA countered with an announcement to take legal action against Ferrari in particular and the FOTA teams in general.

Schumacher spent most of his career at the famed Italian team, the only outfit in F1 racing since its inauguration in 1950. Schumacher ended his active career in 2006 and is now an advisor for the team.

Schumacher said he regretted the issue and its escalation.

'I find it extremely unfortunate that in Formula 1 recently there is so much talk about politics and so little about sport. I really hope those political games will soon be ended, they were getting on my nerves during all my career already,' Schumacher said.

'Because in the end doesn9t it all come down to one simple fact: Motorsport is a great sport, Formula 1 has always been the best of it and has to remain the pinnacle.

'Formula One has always been the platform for the best drivers and the best teams. This is what is admired all over the world, this is what everybody wants to see.

'But if this is constantly put into question due to permanent uncertainty of rules it is maybe better to really defend that value, leave and establish it somewhere else in a reasonable way,' Schumacher said.