Bosses hint at solution to breakaway

Kirch bought a majority shareholding in SLEC, Bernie Ecclestone's F1 holding company, and issues such as future ownership of Formula 1 and the division of its prize fund led to the threat of a breakaway run by the European manufacturers currently active in F1.

There is due to be a meeting of the manufacturers' representatives at Imola and Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt said: "It is not really for me to say because the FIAT group is represented by Mr Cantarella, who is due to meet with Mr Montezemolo, but the Kirch situation may accelerate things."

British American Racing boss David Richards added|: "The fact that there is a meeting here is not linked to the Kirch situation because I'm sure it was organised a long time ago with this being the season's first race in Europe. But, as Jean suggests, the Kirch position may accelerate things and help us come to a sensible solution sooner rather than later. And hopefully it will be one which brings people closer together rather than splits them apart."

More information on the current slant of the manufacturers and the position of the sport's governing body should become public when FIA president Max Mosley arrives at Imola tomorrow (Saturday).