The state of play today

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We're on the brink of what no one wanted: two competing grand prix series. But as I said before, the FOTA championship has potentially ten teams on its books - all of which are very strong. The FIA championship has Williams and some other not-so-established outfits. 

I believe the fans will follow:

1. The series with the best and most famous drivers
2. Ferrari
3. The Monaco Grand Prix

The FOTA championship has Alonso, Hamilton, Raikkonen and Button. Right now, all the FIA has is Rosberg, Sutil, Nakajima and Fisichella. The other drivers joining teams like Campos and Manor, and whoever else they announce tomorrow, will likely be ex-GP2 or F1 test drivers.

The Monaco Grand Prix no doubt has a contract to run with FOM but once that expires it's likely to follow Ferrari. Could there even be two Monaco Grand Prix next year?

FOTA have shown they are willing to take this all the way. After their announcement last night, the FIA has responded saying they're "disappointed but not surprised", and that "elements within FOTA have sought this outcome throughout the prolonged period of negotiation and have not engaged in the discussions in good faith."

However, as I've outlined, FOTA now hold most of the cards. So when the FIA World Council meet it will have to decide whether to retain Max Mosley as president for another four years or ask him to step down in order to retain the FOTA teams and F1 as we know it.

It might seem like an easy decision, but nothing is simple with the FIA. Remember, the voters all owe Max their jobs. It's likely to be Max's decision. The question he'll be asking himself and his advisors is this: Does stepping down constitute weakness, or does holding on to what he's got constitute an even greater failing?

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