Mosley plans no money to manufacturers

In a move that looks set to raise tensions between the governing body and the manufacturers, high level sources at the FIA have revealed that Mosley has recommended to F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone that only independent teams be awarded income in the future.

It is understood that Mosley believes a structure where independent teams are awarded a greater income than their manufacturer-backed rivals is the only way to guarantee long-term stability in the sport.

"Manufacturers are involved in F1 for their own promotional reasons, whereas for independent teams it is their core business," said a source.

The greater income for independent teams would act as a major incentive for those not involved in the sport to put together an entry if a vacancy became available through the withdrawal of a manufacturer.

As was suggested in this week's edition of the Weekly Grapevine, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo's recent claim that his team are not a 'manufacturer' may be related to Mosley's stance.

The Italian said: ""Ferrari must not be seen as an integral part of a car manufacturing team but must be viewed as a private entity.

"We are today in competition against Toyota, the biggest carmaker in the world, and against manufacturing giants like Mercedes, BMW, Honda and Renault. So this should never be forgotten."

News of the plan to cut all financial support for manufacturer-backed teams comes amid the backdrop of continued stalling by Renault, McLaren, BMW, Honda and Toyota to sign-up to Formula One from 2008.

The Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association recently met with Ecclestone to try and bring an end to their threat of a rebel series but the discussions did not result in a breakthrough.

Mosley and Ecclestone hope that the threat of losing all income will act as an incentive for the manufacturer-backed teams to sign up to F1 while there is still an attractive offer from Ecclestone on the table.

Ecclestone has made no secret of the fact that he is willing to offer teams ready to commit to F1 a deal that hands them a share of 60 percent of the total income from the sport.

The five manufacturer-backed teams must now weigh up whether it is worth further delaying on agreeing to that package or risk losing everything if Mosley's plans are accepted.

Mosley was quoted in today's Evening Standard as saying that he supports the idea of the manufacturers getting no financial return for their entry into F1.

"I believe it would be entirely reasonable to offer the manufacturers that join the Formula One world championship no income," he said.