Formula 1's smaller teams are contemplating a boycott of Sunday's United States Grand Prix, according to Force India's deputy team principal Bob Fernley.
Discontent among midfield operations in the paddock regarding how the sport is run has reached new heights following the demise of both Caterham and Marussia squads in the lead up to this weekend's race.
Reports of a boycott first appeared on Friday with the option now appearing to be firmly on the table as Force India, Sauber and Lotus held discussions in preparation to make a stand against F1's leading powers to illustrate their plight.
Escalating costs coupled with the unequitable distribution of the sport's commercial income are believed to be the main causes of concern.
However, a potential boycott could jeopardise the teams' claims for prize money at the end of the season while also inflicting further damage on F1's reputation in America. Nine years ago just six cars took part in the USGP following a dispute between the FIA and tyre manufacturer Michelin.
“Nothing is off the table,” said Fernley, when asked if a boycott could happen.
“Everything and anything is possible. The team owners need themselves to sit down and decide what actions they want to take and then make sure everybody is informed properly,
“Those are the things that obviously the owners are going to look at because there have to be things that bring it to some sort of conclusion and to people's attention for dialogue to open up.
“Whatever happens in Formula One, even as we stand here today, it is going to change because nobody is coming to us and saying we're going to protect you.
“This is the last thing we want to do there is no question of that.
“You have three owners here that are passionate about racing, and that have supported F1 for many, many years in different formats.
“The last thing they want to do is damage it. But at the moment F1 is damaging them big time: the silence is deafening from people reaching out to help.”
F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has added yet more fuel to the fire by stating that just 14 cars could feature in next year's championship eluding to the departure of another two teams.
The FIA is yet to issue a response to the current situation although the sport's governing body did try to implement a cost cap at the start of the season, but the proposal failed to gain support from the entire paddock.