FOTA suspend Williams

FOTA has been involved in a bitter struggle against the governing FIA's plans to introduce a budget cap of £40 million from next season.

However, with the deadline for entries looming on Friday, Williams broke ranks to file papers for next season's competition.

Team principal Frank Williams (pictured) said his team's status as an outfit whose sole business is racing, as opposed to a factory-backed team, led to the decision.

"FOTA's decision, although regrettable, is understandable," he said.

"However, as a racing team and a company whose only business is Formula One, with obligations to our partners and our employees, submitting our entry to next year's championship was unquestionable.

"In addition, we are legally obliged under our contract with FOM and the FIA to participate in the World Championship until the end of 2012."

The prospective cap has already been revised up from £30m, while FIA president Max Mosley has hinted that it could be phased in over a period of time.

It does not include marketing or drivers' salaries and teams have the option of operating outside it, with the consequence that they will have less technical freedom.

That has led to criticisms that a two-tier championship would develop.