Engines of Power: Formula 1's FISA vs FOCA Conflict Part 1 (1964-1977)

Many of the defining characteristics of modern Formula 1 — two-car teams, limits on who can enter the sport, big-money broadcasting deals, and so much more — are the direct result of a decades-long battle between the Formula One Constructors Association (FOCA, which represented the teams) and the Federation du Sport Automobile (FISA, a subsidiary of the FIA). 

Fans have likely heard of the FISA/FOCA war, but truly understanding how it impacted the sport of Formula 1 isn't easy when there were so many little battles taking place from 1964 through to 1987. In this special two-part feature on “Deadly Passions, Terrible Joys,” we're going to uncover everything there is to know about the FISA/FOCA war — and in this section, we'll dig into the origins of FOCA and its grievances with F1’s lack of professionalization.

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Episode Bibliography: 

• https://8w.forix.com/fiasco-introduction-timeline.html 

• https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/august-1967/12/continental-notes-august-1967/ 

• https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/december-1967/16/continental-notes-december-1967/ 

• https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/may-1970/26/the-grand-prix-of-spain-ole/ 

• https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/december-1972/32/continental-notes-december-1972/ 

• https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/january-1973/25/continental-notes-12/ 

• https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-1977/27/continental-notes-july-1977/

• https://atlasf1.autosport.com/2003/jan22/capps.html

• https://atlasf1.autosport.com/2003/jan29/capps.html 

• https://atlasf1.autosport.com/2003/feb05/capps.html