American syndicate BMW Oracle Racing , bankrolled by software billionaire Larry Ellison, is the so-called "challenger of record", the team that officially laid down the challenge to Alinghi for the next Cup.

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At a February hearing before the New York Court of Appeals in Albany, lawyers for Ellison's bmw Oracle Racing made their final plea to force fellow billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli to race Ellison for the Cup.

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It's like a racing driver practising in a BMW but then getting into a Mercedes for the race.

BBC: Brian Davis at Olympia Fields in 2003

Seven members of the Formula One Teams Association, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber, Brawn GP, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso gave Schumacher and Ferrari the green light.

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Furthermore, writs that had been threatened against Ferrari and the other teams in Fota - McLaren, BMW Sauber, Renault, Toyota, Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso and Brawn GP - are likely to be shelved.

BBC: F1 deal ends threat of breakaway

Mosley upped the ante when he began legal proceedings against Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Brawn GP, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso on Friday.

CNN: Mosley says deal close in F1 breakaway row

He is also a gifted engineer who as a university student sent a thesis paper to BMW on how to improve the rear design of its racing bikes.

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