After days of professing complete support for FOTA (Formula One Teams Association), Force India did a complete U turn and on a day when it mattered the most, leaving FOTA high and dry. In the ongoing FIA-FOTA stand off over the financial regulations for next year, the Indian team joined Williams in breaking away from FOTA's stance and submitting an unconditional entry... in short they have showed their readiness to participate next year come whatever the regulations. Understandably, FOTA isn't too impressed with Force India getting into a reverse mode and suspension is on the cards. The world of F1 is so complex and currently there is so much drama, tension and intrigue at play that every step a team takes is looked upon by others with suspicion. Therefore, when Force India did a turnaround in the final few hours on May 29, the deadline day, it was natural that other teams were not amused with the decision.

After a week of silence, team owner Vijay Mallya has finally given his side of the story.

Here is what he said: "I have been completely transparent with FOTA and gave them copies of correspondence with my bankers and with my lawyers. Basically F1, like any other business, relies on its bankers to provide ongoing capital support. As you would in any business, when you go to a bank you need to provide sources of income. The sources of income are from sponsorship and investment of monies from FOM (Formula One Management) rising out of television income. Both these sources of income are comfort for banks to lend money, and this would have been under threat if the entry was not accepted. So, therefore, we were legally advised that Force India might breach its obligations if we did go down the path of an unconditional entry."

A pragmatic approach considering that big manufacturers like Ferrari, Toyota, Renault, BMW and Mercedes Benz can afford to risk everything in their battle with FIA. For independent teams like Force India and Williams, there is a danger of getting dragged along with the big teams and getting caught in no man's land. As of now, the F1 championships are held by FIA and if the manufacturers do decide to hold a separate championship, a decision, either way, could be taken subsequently. Independent teams exist only for racing. However, for the big manufacturers, F1 is not their core business. They can exit and reenter whenever they feel like.

The FIA-FOTA battle is certainly becoming too hot to handle. Force India and Williams have chosen not to get caught in the crossfire.