Ecclestone hoping to fix F1 row

12 April 2012

Bernie Ecclestone today proposed that Formula One teams should be allowed to carry on spending, providing they sign up to the FIA championship for at least the next five years.

However, the motor sport's world governing body have immediately made it clear that is not its position after weeks of wrangling and rowing with the teams over next year's budget cap.

"We'll do our best to fix it," commented Ecclestone.

The furore between the FIA and the eight members of the Formula One Teams' Association - Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Brawn GP, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso - is now heading to the courts.

After FOTA announced they are to set up a breakaway series, the FIA swiftly issued legal proceedings against the body, which are due to be formally instigated on Monday.

FIA president Max Mosley is convinced the war will culminate in the FOTA eight remaining loyal to the F1 championship, and Ecclestone is of the same mind.

However, in being able to see both sides of the argument, the 78-year-old commercial rights holder has offered his sympathies to the teams, but in doing so, has perhaps confused the issue.

"I'm sure we'll find a way. We have us, the federation and the teams, and that's the way it should stay," added Ecclestone.

"I think in the end people will have enough sense not to bust this business up. Everyone should stay in their place and do their job. But as ever when people start to have an argument they don't know where to stop and all sorts of people have ideas about what should and shouldn't happen. Eventually it will sort itself out.

"It's difficult for people to understand what it all started with, that he (Mosley) wanted to find ways of saving money for the teams so they didn't go out of business. I say providing they commit to the championship for at least five years, they should spend what they like."

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