FIA insists teams cannot miss races

Contrary to reports in recent days, Formula One teams in fact cannot miss races in 2010 and escape penalty, the FIA clarified on Wednesday.

In recent days, both F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone and FIA president Jean Todt indicated that teams could miss three races this season and not be penalised.

The reports came amid suggestions the new teams Campos and USF1 are struggling to be ready for next month's Bahrain season opener, and the unconfirmed outfit Stefan GP's push for an official entry.

In various reports, it was suggested the matter is enshrined either in the latest Concorde Agreement, or came as the result of a decision endorsed by the recent World Motor Sport Council meeting.

"From a sporting and regulatory point of view, each team that has registered for the championship is obliged to take part in every event of the season," the FIA said in a media statement.

"Any failure to take part, even for just one championship event, would constitute an infringement both of the Concorde Agreement and the FIA regulations," the governing body added.