From GMM

With Williams and Force India on the outer after filing unconditional FIA paperwork, the F1 teams' alliance FOTA has moved to ensure its unity is not further eroded.

Martin Brundle, a former driver and now an expert broadcaster for British TV, wrote in his column for the Sunday Times that the manufacturers face a crippling penalty if they break ranks and pledge to the 2010 world championship before a block compromise is brokered.

"Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Renault and BMW have signed a $50m bond not to jump ship and enter the 2010 championship unconditionally within the next 30 days," Brundle claimed.

In the hours before the Turkish grand prix, a breakaway world championship seems more likely than ever. Max Mosley seems unwilling to back down over budget caps, and now boasts famous names like Williams, March, Brabham and Lotus for his 2010 grid.

Theoretically in another series will be grandee marques like Ferrari and McLaren, not to mention the likely 2009 world champions Brawn GP, who for now are openly supportive of the FOTA stance.

"Somebody is going to have to capitulate for the sake of the sport," Brundle insisted.

Meanwhile, Sir Frank Williams on Sunday firmly nailed his colours to the FIA, backtracking on claims his team has been merely suspended temporarily from the F1 teams' alliance FOTA.

"We're out," said Williams, referring to his team's split with FOTA. "If there were two (series), we would go with the FIA, full stop."

Vijay Mallya said he was obliged to enter the FIA championship upon advice from the team's lawyers, with "bank guarantees" needing to be secured against definite revenue.

Ross Brawn said his Brackley based team is remaining loyal. "I owe the existence of this team to FOTA. Without the help of McLaren and Mercedes, we would not be here," he said.

But Brawn expressed anxiety at the ongoing conflict with the FIA, insisting that the uncertainty is making negotiations with sponsors "impossible". "What can you say to people who are interested, if no one knows what is going to happen next?" he said.

After a drivers' meeting - not including the Williams and Force India pilots with FOTA on Sunday - Jarno Trulli was nominated spokesman and warned: "In the next week, something should budge. If not, there will be a split," he said, as rumours swirled that the FOTA teams had threatened a race boycott.