The FIA have confirmed they are to issue legal proceedings against the Formula One Teams' Association following their threat to begin a breakaway series.

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Autosport deputy editor, Charles Bradley, describes it as a high-stakes poker game that it will be disastrous to the sport if the eight teams do break away: watch his interview after the advert

The eight members of FOTA - Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Brawn GP, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso - announced last night they would not sign up to next year's F1 world championship, and instead would now pursue a rival series.

Following meetings between FIA president Max Mosley and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone in the Silverstone paddock today ahead of Sunday's British Grand Prix, motor sport's world governing body has now decided legal action is their only recourse.

Confirming their intentions, a statement read: "The FIA's lawyers have now examined the FOTA threat to begin a breakaway series.

"The actions of FOTA as a whole, and Ferrari in particular, amount to serious violations of law including wilful interference with contractual relations, direct breaches of Ferrari's legal obligations and a grave violation of competition law.

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"The FIA will be issuing legal proceedings without delay.

"Preparations for the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship continue but publication of the final 2010 entry list will be put on hold while the FIA asserts its legal rights."

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