Manufacturer to ditch breakaway series
That's the information straight out of the mouth of FIA president Max Mosley, sparking fresh speculation that Renault, Honda or Toyota could be about to follow Ferrari's lead in breaking GPMA ranks.
It would be a killer blow to the carmakers' alliance, which could ultimately be left with only McLaren-Mercedes and BMW Sauber – both German manufacturers – to fill a 'breakaway' grid.
Scoffing at their apparent plans, Mosley was quoted by the 'Sport Bild' publication as saying three more private teams 'and a manufacturer' are currently making enquires about siding with the Bernie/FIA camp.
With six teams already poised to sign Concorde, if Mosley's additional four follow suit it would give the FIA F1 world championship a credible grid of twenty cars for 2008.
'Sport Bild' contends that David Richards' Prodrive, Roger Penske and Craig Pollock could be the private entries alluded to by Mosley, while cost-minded Renault – with FIA-supporter Flavio Briatore at the helm – is the most likely carmaker.
But F1's Japanese contingent, Toyota and Honda, are also uncomfortable about the current paddock dispute.
Italy's 'La Gazzetta dello Sport' quoted Mosley as saying that Bernie has already signed up the 'most important team' — Ferrari.
''We also have Williams,'' he told the newspaper, ''(which is) a very prestigious and successful team.'