Lewis Hamilton has opened the prospect of racing outside formula one next season by saying that he will be obliged to follow his employers, McLaren, away from the sport if they choose to quit over the row with Max Mosley.
McLaren are among eight teams who say their participation in next season's formula one championship is not guaranteed because of a dispute with Mosley, the head of the sport's governing body, the FIA, over the regulations.
"I've got a contract with McLaren and I will go wherever they go," Hamilton said. "That's the way it is. It is about the FIA and the teams. But it is my job to get in the car and drive."
The dispute relates to a prospective budget cap for next season. Five teams, including McLaren, have written to the FIA senate and the World Motor Sport Council asking them to intervene to resolve the crisis.