If the F1 teams and Bernie Ecclestone want to do a deal with Pirelli, the FIA will have to go along with it.
That is the claim of an unnamed team boss, amid rumours the president of F1’s governing body Jean Todt is pushing for Michelin to re-enter the sport as the new tyre supplier.
It is believed commercial contracts with F1 chief executive Ecclestone have now been signed by Pirelli, while the teams group FOTA has signed a letter of intent to be supplied by the Milan based company from 2011.
The final hurdle is said to be the consent of the World Motor Sport Council next week.
But the unnamed boss told France’s Auto Hebdo magazine: "The FIA manages the regulations, but it is not possible to impose on teams something they don’t want.
"Certainly, (the FIA) can boycott a decision of FOTA, but I think Ecclestone has enough power."