Teams want to own F1 says FOTA chairman Whitmarsh

(GMM) F1 teams are interested in owning the sport they compete in, FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh announced in Turkey on Friday.

Amid news that 'big four' teams McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes are meeting with representatives of potential commercial rights bidders News Corp next weekend, McLaren boss Whitmarsh said F1's teams are also interested.

"Ultimately it is desirable to have team ownership of the rights," he said, also allaying fears that F1 could move from free-to-air television.

Agreed Renault team boss Eric Boullier: "Yes, I think we should be involved in some way in the ownership of the show and we should have a key role in promoting F1."