Grooves are dangerous, says Ecclestone

He claims the non-slick tyres, which were introduced to reduce cornering speeds, are making cars unstable and more dangerous.

His comments oppose FIA's president Max Mosley, who was instrumental in implementing the revised tyre regulations.

Ecclestone said, 'If the idea of grooved tyre was to slow cars down you can only do that by reducing grip, but if you do that there is more chance of cars going off.

'So in fact the grooved tyres are adding to the dangers of F1 rather than making it safer.

'To my mind you'd be better off with sticky tyres and cars that don't fly off the road. I never agreed with the idea of grooves.

'I said to Max that if eventually you add enough grooves, you'll end up slicks.

'It's not a case of us changing his mind, but the teams could put the matter on the agenda of the F1 Commission.'

Speaking last month Mosley commented, 'Bernie gets most things right, but not even he is right all the time about everything.'

F1 insiders denied claims the two men could be facing a major split.