AUGUST 9, 2012

Whitmarsh to step down as FOTA chairman

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh, Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) chairman since succeeding Luca di Montezemolo in 2009, is to step down from the role.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh, Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) chairman since succeeding Luca di Montezemolo in 2009, is to step down from the role.

Whitmarsh has put much time and effort into the task after initially being asked to chair the association for a 12 months period. He was then twice asked to stay on but now feels that it is time for someone else to assume the position.

FOTA has been weakened by the withdrawal of Ferrari and Red Bull paticularly and commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone is always dismissive of the organisation. The teams, however, still believe that FOTA is a valid initiative and wanr to see it continue. Vice chairman Eric Boullier, the Lotus team principal, and Mercedes boss Ross Brawn are favourites to take over the reins.