F1 teams threaten boycott over arrest exemptions

The future of the Grand Prix circuit came under renewed threat tonight amid concern that races in Europe could be boycotted unless teams are exempted from new European Union arrest warrants.

Britain is one of three countries, along with Belgium and Spain, which has already introduced the warrants which Formula One bosses fear could be used against them if a driver is killed on the track.

Max Mosley, president of the sport’s world governing body, FIA, has written on behalf of the teams to the presidents of the sporting bodies in European countries hosting races expressing their fears over the European Arrest Warrants (EAW).

“This is a matter of serious concern and the FIA will continue to hold talks with the various European Union governments and the European Commission in an attempt to resolve it,” Mosley said tonight.

In the letter, team bosses warn that they were only prepared to race in countries whose governments gave a legally enforceable undertaking not to use the warrant following incidents on the track.

“They fear a local magistrate could use the EAW to order the arrest and extradition of team personnel,” it says.

“The teams say they require the above undertaking if they are to race within the jurisdiction of any of these three countries.

“In view of the potential effect of this development on the Formula One world championship, would you please take this matter up urgently with the relevant authorities in your country and inform the race promoter?”

The EAW, introduced on January 1, replaces national extradition deals between EU member states.

Its introduction was discussed by team chiefs at their meeting in London last Friday.

Teams bosses do not want a repeat of the on-going legal process following the death of Brazil’s three-time former world champion Ayrton Senna at the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, almost 10 years ago.

Williams technical director Patrick Head and former chief designer Adrian Newey, now technical director at McLaren, were acquitted of manslaughter after a trial in Bologna in 1997.

The verdict was upheld on appeal in 1999 but they were told last year that they face a new appeal court hearing into Senna’s accident.

Eight EU member states have implemented the warrant while the seven remaining members – including France as well as Germany and Italy, who host two races - have pledged to implement the legislation by March.