• F1 Politics

Ecclestone shrugs off latest breakaway threat

ESPNF1 Staff
May 19, 2011 « Button looking to increase pressure | »
Bernie Ecclestone: "We all know Montezemolo's emotional side" © Getty Images
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Bernie Ecclestone is not concerned about Luca di Montezemolo's recent suggestion that the teams could set up a rival series to Formula One.

Last week Montezemolo warned that Ferrari and the other teams could walk away from the sport's current owners CVC at the end of the 2012 Concorde Agreement. But when asked about the comments, F1 chief executive Ecclestone told Swiss newspaper Blick: "Oh yes, we all know Montezemolo's emotional side. But how often has Ferrari actually gone?"

Ecclestone sounded confident about the future beyond the current commercial agreement.

"Forget the Concorde Agreement," he said. "CVC bought Formula One at a time when there was basically no Concorde Agreement and the manufacturers were threatening us with a rival series. So it was the worst possible time to buy and yet CVC paid good money. Today the risk is even lower."

It has been suggested teams want their share of F1's profits to be increased from 50% to 70% in 2013.

"In the last five Concorde Agreements the teams wanted more money," Ecclestone added. "There is no chance they're getting 70%."

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