Bernie-brokered solution to F1 split in sight?

The five European-based manufacturers - Ford (Jaguar), Fiat (Ferrari), Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Renault - are unhappy that German media companies Kirch and EMTV have purchased a 75 percent in SLEC, the Ecclestone-family owned trust which holds the commercial and broadcast rights to F1 until 2110.

The manufacturers are concerned that the sport could switch to pay-per-view TV, vastly decreasing its audience, and also want more of a say in the running of the sport and its commercial exploitation.

Speaking in the Sunday Times newspaper, Ecclestone said: "Honest to God, I have no idea what they want at this stage. Their position changes all the time. They are in business to sell cars. It seems strange to me that they want to own the races as well."

After the manufacturers, under the umbrella of the European manufacturers' association ACEA, stated their intention to break away last Wednesday, both Kirch and Ecclestone were quick to reassure them that pay-per-view was not on the agenda.

But Ecclestone went further, engineering a package that included manufacturer vetoes on key issues and confirming that he would stay at the reins for the next five years. Ecclestone also confirmed that he would sell a stake in his 25 percent holding in SLEC to the manufacturers, with Kirch and EMTV expected to do the same.

"We will share our 25 percent with the car companies if that is what it takes to sort it out," said Ecclestone.

The Sunday Times quoted a Ferrari source, who appeared positive over progress made.

"It appears that Ecclestone and Kirch/EMTV are moving towards a deal that we will find acceptable," he said.

But despite working towards finding a solution to head off the manufacturer pull-out, Ecclestone appears to be taking a longer-term view. Knowing that the involvement of most major manufacturers in F1 is by its nature transient and that the competing teams are the longest-lasting element in the equation, Ecclestone stressed that a major priority was keeping the teams happy.

"I have been fire-fighting all week," he said. "The companies need to realise this business is about the teams, not the motor companies. Most of them have been in and out of F1 for years. Both sides need to look at the upside and the downside. There is more downside."

In a further boost for the teams, the septegenarian added: "The teams need not worry about my retirement, only my death. And I am not planning to die yet."