From GMM
Max Mosley insists to say that the F1 sport will survive even if rumours are true that more manufacturers are considering following Honda and BMW out of formula one.
"If any more manufacturers quit we've got people who'd replace them. I think F1 will be very healthy with or without the manufacturers," the current FIA president told the BBC.
The 69-year-old was speaking in the wake of BMW's shock announcement that it will quit F1 at the end of 2009. The FIA issued a formal statement on Wednesday blaming the decision on the dithering of team bosses over cost cutting.
Mosley warned efforts are now being made to bypass the teams and go straight "to the chief execs" of the carmakers' boards.
"Teams are making efforts to reduce (costs) but we don't think they've gone far enough or fast enough," he insisted.
Toyota and Mercedes reacted to the BMW news by insisting their own commitments to formula one are not under review.
"There are rumours, but there are always rumours, so we don't pay attention until we get concrete information," Mosley said.
One of those rumours is that Toyota team president John Howett is currently in Tokyo for a round of board meetings, which may explain why the ratification of the Concorde Agreement is delayed.
Renault's commitment is also in doubt, two authoritative newspapers claim.
"It is thought that (team boss) Flavio Briatore ... is scouring the globe for funds to secure a management buyout from the French carmaker", said the Times of London.
And Switzerland's Blick added: "Renault would like to get rid of its team as quickly as possible, delivering it to boss Flavio Briatore."
photo:BMW
Max Mosley insists to say that the F1 sport will survive even if rumours are true that more manufacturers are considering following Honda and BMW out of formula one.
"If any more manufacturers quit we've got people who'd replace them. I think F1 will be very healthy with or without the manufacturers," the current FIA president told the BBC.
The 69-year-old was speaking in the wake of BMW's shock announcement that it will quit F1 at the end of 2009. The FIA issued a formal statement on Wednesday blaming the decision on the dithering of team bosses over cost cutting.
Mosley warned efforts are now being made to bypass the teams and go straight "to the chief execs" of the carmakers' boards.
"Teams are making efforts to reduce (costs) but we don't think they've gone far enough or fast enough," he insisted.
Toyota and Mercedes reacted to the BMW news by insisting their own commitments to formula one are not under review.
"There are rumours, but there are always rumours, so we don't pay attention until we get concrete information," Mosley said.
One of those rumours is that Toyota team president John Howett is currently in Tokyo for a round of board meetings, which may explain why the ratification of the Concorde Agreement is delayed.
Renault's commitment is also in doubt, two authoritative newspapers claim.
"It is thought that (team boss) Flavio Briatore ... is scouring the globe for funds to secure a management buyout from the French carmaker", said the Times of London.
And Switzerland's Blick added: "Renault would like to get rid of its team as quickly as possible, delivering it to boss Flavio Briatore."
photo:BMW