Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone has dismissed talk of a breakaway championship in the sport.
With the current wave of outrage over the continuing presence of Max Mosley as president of governing body FIA, Ecclestone was reported to have taken part in discussions to explore the possibility of starting a new championship outside the FIA's jurisdiction.
Speculation about a breakaway intensified ahead of Canadian Grand Prix qualifying as team principals met with Ecclestone for the second time this weekend.
The Formula One chief, however, denied a parting of the ways with the FIA had been on the agenda and revealed the team bosses had been discussing a new Concorde agreement, a contract between the teams, Ecclestone's Formula One Management and the FIA which sets out the guidelines under which the sport is run.
"Nobody has discussed a breakaway series," Ecclestone said as he made an unscheduled visit to the Grand Prix media centre at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
"We have been discussing what we are putting in a Concorde Agreement, which we have spent two years trying to get signed."
Mosley is known to be talking tough on the terms of the new Concorde Agreement while Ecclestone said the teams were divided at present.
"I think Max would really like a Concorde Agreement a little more suited to the FIA while the teams are against each other," said Ecclestone.
"One wants a wind tunnel, others don't want wind tunnels, some want half a wind tunnel, that's how it is. Been like it forever."
Ecclestone rejected an alternative governing body to sanction regulations adding: "There wouldn't be any difference, they'd still be arguing amongst the teams about what they want."
He said a new Concorde Agreement was vital to keeping sponsors on board in the sport, particularly as the Mosley controversy looked set to remain in the wake of his successful vote of confidence from FIA member organisations last week.
"The sponsors need stability," Ecclestone said. "This has been an emergency for two years. Teams are in this championship and they have no ideas what the rules are."
Asked how long it would take to reach an agreement, Ecclestone joked: "Two or three days - if we all agree."
Yet he added there may be signs of progress following Friday night and Saturday's meetings.
"I think today we've got to the position where everybody needs to give a little bit."
Asked if the team principals were beginning to reach an understanding, he added: "Yes."
No comments:
Post a Comment