The teams are threatening to boycott the season opener

At least two team leaders have threatened to boycott this first Grand Prix weekend in Australia.

The Times reports that Flavio Briatore for Renault and Ron Dennis for McLaren have recently told Bernie Ecclestone that they will not send their cars and equipment to Melbourne due to a dispute over unpaid wages.

In the meantime, the Melbourne’s newspaper Herald Sun claims that Ferrari has expressed a threat of a boycott, so great is the anger towards the FIA regarding the latest rule changes.

In the end, all the cars arrived safely in Melbourne, but the race promoter, Ron Walker, admitted to being aware of the disputes.

« It’s very serious at the moment, but I think common sense will prevail by Sunday, » he stated.

A clear understanding will be reached between the teams and the FIA as well as with Bernie.

The representative of the FIA in Australia, Garry Connelly, also addressed these rumors by stating: « This boycott would be suicide for the teams. »

« Each has sponsorship agreements in place. What are they going to do, waste a large percentage of their television coverage just because they’re upset? »

This boycott in the form of an ultimatum launched by Briatore and Dennis on behalf of the other teams belonging to the FOTA, was revealed by Ecclestone to a few British journalists.

The Formula 1 financial chief stated that John Howett of Toyota was also present during this boycott threat. Ecclestone promised to pay the teams if they sign a new Concorde Agreement, but to this day it has still not been signed.

Poor John, he was sitting a little confused on this subject. Flavio started his threat, aided and abetted by Ron Dennis. They claimed that no one will go to Australia.

« So, I said that I had better cancel my flight immediately. »

In short, significant tensions among everyone, even though the Grand Prix should proceed as planned.