In a letter to EU Antitrust Commissioner Mario Monti, the governing body of world motor sports rejected EU accusations that it broadcasting contracts violated EU law and warned EU objections would push Formula One coverage to pay TV.
"It is disturbing that an important EU institution should behave in this way," said FIA President Max Mosley at a press conference in Brussels. "We believe their legal case is hopeless and that they should not try to bolster it with improper and illegal acts."
He continued, " They the EU say we've taken the rights from the organisers. That's complete nonsense. We ensure that it is put out free. If necessary we will take them to the European Court. We believe they are bound to fail because their case is hopelessly weak."
Formula One is currently available on terrestrial television throughout Europe, but Mosley believes a change in broadcasting rules would leave fans having to go through pay-per-view channels to watch races.
Mosley added, "We might reduce the number of events in the EU. People would watch on television in Europe wherever the event takes place. People would want to watch a race
whether it was in the UK or Argentina. I've long believed that places like Venezuela, South Africa and Mexico should have more races."
