Rebel teams sympathize with ‘dismayed’ fans
"We're all very sad we're not focusing on the racing and what's exciting about formula one.
"But I really believe FOTA's ambition is to improve the sport for the long term," John Howett, Toyota team president and vice-chair of the Formula One Teams Association, said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
In an official statement, FOTA then acknowledged fans "who are dismayed and confused at the internal bickering within our sport".
But also in the wake of the controversial 2010 entry list published by the FIA, the teams' statement hit out at the "erroneous" suggestion that Ferrari and Red Bull's two teams are signed up unconditionally for next year.
The FIA said it is giving the remaining FOTA teams, McLaren, BMW, Renault, Toyota and Brawn, another seven days to come on board, but FOTA hit back by insisting its members remain united and opposed to the governing body's "new arbitrary proposals".
Howett said the main concern is the lack of a "sensible basis of governance so that the regulations aren't changed willy-nilly, so there is involvement of the teams in a proper process and that process is not deviated from".
FOTA said the "details" of its concerns will be released "in the near future".