Manufacturers Should Have a Voice, Says Rahal

Jaguar boss Bobby Rahal has said that the leading manufacturers are correct in pushing for a greater role in Formula One after their threat to set-up a rival series.

Five of the sport's leading manufacturers have failed to buy a share of SLEC, the holding company which owns the commercial rights to the sport, and are now threatening to set-up their own breakaway formula.

"There are a lot of stories going around and I think it clearly all focuses on the fact that the manufacturers feel that given the level of investment they are making they should have a voice in the direction of the sport," Rahal said.

"I certainly don't disagree with that because there is a great responsibility and obligation that comes with that voice, but I think they've shown a tremendous level of commitment by buying these teams.

"I think given the level of investment they are making, which runs into billions of dollars, what they are asking for isn't at all extraordinary. But what shape that takes in the future I don't know."