Car Makers to Discuss F1 Move

Bernie Ecclestone said on Thursday that he was aware that car manufacturers were about to discuss a proposal to buy into SLEC, his Formula One holding company.

Five car makers, believed to be BMW, Fiat, Ford, DaimlerChrysler and Renault, are meeting at the Paris Motor Show on Friday to discuss whether they want a say in the running of grand prix racing.

DaimlerChrysler management board member Juergen Hubbert said members of ACEA, the European car manufacturers' group who are currently involved in Formula One or who could become involved in the sport, would consider "how to make the stage stable for the long term".

"Tomorrow there is an ACEA discussion about whether the manufacturers have the same interests," he said.

He dismissed speculation that the meeting could result in a decision.

Grand prix promoter Ecclestone sold half of his stake in SLEC to German television broadcaster EM.TV in March.

But he has said that there are no plans to sell his remaining 50 percent share to the manufacturers. It had never even been discussed, he added.

"Nobody has discussed selling the shares," he said. "We will not be selling our stake in the company.

"There is going to be a meeting between manufacturers, but I don't know which manufacturers will meet or whether it is happening on Friday."