Williams chief sees opportunity

Williams chief executive Adam Parr is hoping the peace pact between the FIA and the Formula One Teams' Association will result in his outfit's return to the fold.

Williams was frozen out of FOTA at the end of May when it opted to lodge an unconditional entry to compete in next season's world championship due to contractual obligations.

It left FOTA with no option but to suspend Williams' membership during a meeting of all the teams at a Heathrow airport hotel - a move described by Parr as 'absolutely dreadful'.

It was Parr, though, from a position of being on the outside looking in and after listening to the arguments from both sides, who suggested on Friday at the British Grand Prix that a solution was close at hand.

That solution arrived on Wednesday with FOTA gaining the governance change it demanded as Max Mosley agreed not to stand for re-election as FIA president after being assured of cost cuts over the next two years.

With FOTA due to convene on Thursday at Bologna airport, it is almost certain Williams and Force India - also suspended after it submitted an unconditional entry - will rejoin the association.

"I do hope so. I think that's something we'd all like to see," Parr told PA Sport.

"It's essential we, along with Force India and the new teams, are part of the discussions going forward."

The FIA on Wednesday confirmed the entry list for 2010 which includes all 10 of the current teams, along with the three previously named new entrants in Campos Meta, Team US F1 and Manor Grand Prix.

Although the trio will no longer be operating under a budget cap, they are due to receive 'technical assistance' from the present teams, a loose term as it has yet to be defined.

There is also no set figure with regard to costs over the next two years, other than what Mosley described as a 'return to early 1990s levels'.

Despite the ambiguity of those words, Parr is at least happy there will be no breakaway movement, and that Williams will again be competing alongside Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber, Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso and Brawn GP.

"At the weekend I outlined Williams' position, that we were optimistic a solution would be found and doubtful of the real merits of an alternative series," added Parr.

"So we are absolutely delighted the outcome of today's agreement will be a Formula One world championship next year with all the current teams, and hopefully the three new teams as well."

"The teams, the FIA and FOM (Formula One Management) have committed to a cost-saving programme that means the sport is stronger and better set up for the future than it has been for several years."

"On the cost savings, we understand what the objective is that has been agreed."

"But I think there's a lot of detail to fill out in terms of how that's going to be achieved and what the actual target is."