Bernie Ecclestone to discuss small F1 teams' crisis with CVC
Bernie Ecclestone has promised Formula 1's smaller teams that he will speak to the sport's owner CVC about their financial problems
F1 supremo Ecclestone called teams together in the Interlagos paddock on Saturday to discuss how to sort out the current difficulties that the smaller teams are facing.
But with bigger outfits unwilling to make compromises to sacrifice their income, no agreement was reached on a way to help matters.
Instead, Ecclestone told the smaller teams to wait until he has discussed the situation with F1 owner CVC next week to see what progress he can make.
Force India team principal Vijay Mallya said there was little else his team, Sauber and Lotus could do now but wait to see what Ecclestone responds with.
"It is unlikely that progress will be made in such a short period of time," said Mallya.
"So he's going back to London to talk to Donald [McKenzie] and CVC? That's what he said.
"He recognises that the three smallest teams need to get more money in one form or another.
"We presented our case, he said he'd talk to Donald and get back to us.
"I've heard this before, but the only option is to just wait and watch."
Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff said it was only right that the situation was left to the sport's chiefs, and he denied that the bigger teams were totally blind to the plight of their smaller rivals.
"It is a discussion Bernie and CVC have to have," he said. "You need to keep F1 in mind, and we have responsibility for the series itself.
"You cannot always just have a narrow view on your own personal situation.
"Of course we are all here to perform best and generate the most income, but you need to keep common sense for the general economic and commercial situation of all the teams."
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