The Sauber Formula One team has become the fourth member of the Formula One Teams' Association to quit, according to a report on Wednesday, with the Toro Rosso squad expected to follow them in departing the organisation.
According to the report from the Autosport website, a Sauber spokeswoman confirmed their decision to leave FOTA on Wednesday afternoon.The spokeswoman was quoted as suggesting that the reasons for their decision would be "kept private for now", but said that they had "fully explained" them to the organisation.
FOTA was rocked last week by the withdrawal of two of the sport's biggest teams, Red Bull Racing and Ferrari.
Talks were held regarding the future of the organisation in a meeting of the remaining members on Tuesday, but no details of any conclusions from the discussions were announced.
The Autosport report also claimed that Toro Rosso were not represented at Tuesday's meeting, and may well be set to follow their sister Red Bull squad out the door.
Should STR quit, that would leave FOTA with just seven members - McLaren, Mercedes, Williams, Force India, Virgin, Renault and Team Lotus.
There would then be fresh question marks over the future of the organisation in general, with the original purpose of FITA having been to offer a united voice for teams in debates over the future of the sport.
Earlier this week, Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko suggested that the oganisation had "fulfilled its purpose" during the sport's recent history.
With the discussion over the future of cost-cutting measures in the sport, including the oft-debated Resource Restriction Agreement, set to continue away from the FOTA framework, the remaining teams ay simply disband the organisation.
Alternatively, with the recent departures not official until the end of a two month notice period, the remaining teams may seek to get them to cancel their resignations.
With the current Concorde Agreement getting close to being re-negotiated, the teams may well view a united FOTA as a critical part in their negotiations over the new deal.
HRT were the first team to leave FOTA late in 2010.
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