McLaren has become the highest-profile victim of a streamlining programme designed to speed up the decision-making process in Formula One.
The new-look F1 Commission, on which each team previously had representation, now features just six of the soon-to-be twelve squads, with
McLaren missing out under new guidelines designed to elect members by national origin. With the British vote going to rivals Williams, Ron Dennis' operation, along with powerful engine partner Mercedes, will now have to look on, hoping that future decisions go their way without having a direct say in the outcome.
Joining
Williams on the new Commission, which takes effect from 2008, will be no fewer than three British-based teams, however, but ones which have decided to enter under foreign licences.
Red Bull Racing will sit on the basis of its Austrian paperwork, while
Renault represents France and Honda Japan.
BMW (Germany) and
Ferrari (Italy) complete the elected sextet which forms just under 50 per cent of the 13-member Commission which has the power to approve changes to both the sporting and technical regulations.
Honda's inclusion ahead of Japanese rival
Toyota will also be seen as a favourable outcome for the FIA, as both
McLaren and
Toyota have spoken out in opposition to the plans to freeze engine specification over a five-year period from 2008-2012.
The rest of the panel comprises five circuit/promoter representatives - coming this time from Australia, Brazil, Hungary, Monaco and Spain - as well as new commercial rights holder CVC and the governing body. Previous representation from sponsors also appears to have been phased out.
