AFP - Williams on Wednesday defended their decision to break ranks with their pitlane partners and enter next year's Formula One championship.
  
The British team were moved to speak out after having their membership of the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) temporarily suspended.
  
FOTA are in the middle of a heated row with the sports' rulers over FIA president Max Mosley's intention to introduce a voluntary 40 million pound budget cap from 2010.
  
Frank Williams, the Williams team principal, described FOTA's action as "regrettable" but "understandable".
  
In a statement from the team's Oxford headquarters, he said: "However, as a racing team and a company whose only business is Formula One, with obligations to our partners and our employees, submitting our entry to next year’s Championship was unquestionable.
  
"In addition, we are legally obliged under our contract with FOM and the FIA to participate in the World Championship until the end of 2012."
  
Twenty four hours before Williams went it alone to enter for 2010 FOTA had urged Mosley to tear up his proposed 'budget cap' plans if he wanted the teams to sign for next year.
  
This latest twist in the stand off between teams and F1 rulers comes just three days before Friday's deadline for teams to enter next season's championship.
  
Ferrari, who have been a feature of every season since F1 was launched in 1950, are threatening to pull out unless Mosley backs down on his controversial plans.
  
Both sides met on the sidelines of last weekend's Monaco Grand Prix with Mosley afterwards suggesting a compromise was in the air.