Whitmarsh does not wish to continue as head of the FOTA
The FOTA will need to find a new president for the 2013 season. Martin Whitmarsh, the current president of the F1 teams association, does not wish to seek another term.
After a little more than three years – or three terms – as president of the FOTA, Martin Whitmarsh announced that he would not seek a new term as head of the Formula 1 teams’ association and that he would step aside for someone else.
« I think it would be healthier if it were someone else now. It’s up to the teams to decide. I care about F1, whatever my role may be. For me, McLaren has been a good citizen of the sport, » Whitmarsh explained to our colleagues at Autosport.
The FOTA was somewhat deserted during the off-season due to certain disagreements regarding resource limitation agreements. Thus, today the association is composed of McLaren, Lotus, Mercedes, Marussia, Caterham, Williams, and Force India.
Despite everything, Whitmarsh believes that FOTA continues and will continue to play an important role in Formula 1: “We have tried to galvanize, to stabilize our forces to understand each other’s problems. Whatever happens, we will continue to try in this way.”
The question of his succession is therefore now raised. Ross Brawn and Eric Boullier – currently vice-president of the association – appear to be credible candidates to run for the presidency of the FOTA in place of the Briton who himself succeeded Luca di Montezemolo in 2009.
