Ecclestone downplays breakaway reports

Talks to frame a new Concorde Agreement began during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, but there were reports that Ecclestone and the teams could go as far as creating a breakaway championship if they fail to get the FIA to agree with the new deal.

"I'm certainly not advocating a breakaway but in theory they could do their own deal for TV, whatever," Ecclestone was quoted in the Sunday Express as saying.

Ecclestone, however, has sent a letter to all FIA member clubs clarifying his and the teams' position.

"The position of Formula One Management and the teams and the Formula One promoters is very simple," Ecclestone wrote in the letter, a copy of which was seen by autosport.com.

"They would like a Concorde Agreement signed in basically the same format as in the past agreements which Formula One has been governed successfully by this type of document for over 25 years which helps to stabilise the Technical and Sporting Regulations.

"It follows the agreement reached with the European Commission where the FIA are the regulators of the sport and FOM are the commercial side of Formula One. We would hope that this can continue."

Ecclestone also said that nothing had changed in the FIA following the scandal involving president Max Mosley, despite calls from some manufacturers and clubs asking him to step down.

"As far as the FIA president is concerned this has now been made clear and there is not a change in the position at this time," Ecclestone added.

"A number of the manufacturers and teams along with their sponsors have stated that they thought the president should stand down because of matters in his private life.

"This is their and only their opinion as they are not part of the FIA and therefore do not have votes.

"Personally Max has been a friend for 40 years and I hope he still is. He has in his way carried out many matters which have been beneficial to the FIA and should be appreciated for this."