The Weekly Grapevine

Although dramatic subjects such as 'Ecclestone's future in doubt' (which it isn't - although the outcome of behind-doors discussions remains as yet unknown) and 'Setting the Record Straight' (which it didn't) monopolised discussions in Germany, the real news was the enormous amount of work being put in behind the scenes by lawyers acting for the sport's main political players: the FIA, the commercial rights' holder, FOTA, and the non-FOTA teams.

Drafts and redrafts have been shuttling back and forth between European cities and across continents, with each addendum/amendment/clarification/reword bringing the peace process one step closer. Although some folk in the loop suggested the definitive version of the Concorde Agreement - the tripartite covenant which binds the governing body, CRH and the teams together for a period (in this case through to end-2012) for the good of the sport - would be signed by Wednesday (tomorrow), it now seems they were somewhat optimistic about the timing.

A more realistic prediction would appear to be immediately after next week's Hungarian Grand Prix, not least because that would allow final tweaks to be made by all affected parties in Budapest, with 15 (minimum) pens being put to paper during the first week of Formula 1's summer holidays - bearing in mind that the negotiators may not necessarily be empowered with signing authority, particularly where manufacturer teams are concerned.

But that the sport will, for the first time since end-2007, be governed by contract rather than whim seems as certain as can be under the circumstances.