- 14 Jun 08, 23:25#49215
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
From F1 Live:
In the wake of the Max Mosley umpalumpa scandal, McLaren boss Ron Dennis has refused to rule out backing a Formula One 'breakaway'.
It emerged recently that splitting with the Mosley-led FIA was discussed between team chiefs and Bernie Ecclestone during a series of meetings at the Canadian Grand Prix.
British-based team McLaren, last year fined $100m by the FIA for its involvement in a spy scandal, said in the wake of Mosley's retention as FIA President that it hoped the sport "will now enter a period of stability."
But at the Mercedes-powered team's Woking factory on Wednesday, for the launch of a British motorsport campaign 'Go Motorsport', Dennis refused to rule out a shakeup.
"If anything is put forward as an initiative that is in the best interests of Formula One and this company I will support it," he said in an interview with the news agency AP.
"That does not mean I favour any particular path at the moment. We need stability, consistency and the right values and images for Formula One and whatever process is put forward if it's the right one I'll support it," he added.
Dennis, McLaren's chairman, CEO and co-owner, said he was disappointed about the leaks following the Montreal meetings, including speculation that his team and also Honda support Ecclestone's rumoured 'breakaway' threat.
Meanwhile, Ecclestone has been putting out the fires of speculation on the matter:
From autosport.com:
Ecclestone downplays breakaway reports
By Pablo Elizalde Friday, June 13th 2008, 08:46 GMT
Bernie EcclestoneFormula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has written to the FIA member clubs to play down suggestions of a possible breakaway championship.
Talks to frame a new Concorde Agreement began during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, but there were reports that Ecclestone and the teams could go as far as creating a breakaway championship if they fail to get the FIA to agree with the new deal.
"I'm certainly not advocating a breakaway but in theory they could do their own deal for TV, whatever," Ecclestone was quoted in the Sunday Express as saying.
Ecclestone, however, has sent a letter to all FIA member clubs clarifying his and the teams' position.
"The position of Formula One Management and the teams and the Formula One promoters is very simple," Ecclestone wrote in the letter, a copy of which was seen by autosport.com.
"They would like a Concorde Agreement signed in basically the same format as in the past agreements which Formula One has been governed successfully by this type of document for over 25 years which helps to stabilise the Technical and Sporting Regulations.
"It follows the agreement reached with the European Commission where the FIA are the regulators of the sport and FOM are the commercial side of Formula One. We would hope that this can continue."
Ecclestone also said that nothing had changed in the FIA following the scandal involving president Max Mosley, despite calls from some manufacturers and clubs asking him to step down.
"As far as the FIA president is concerned this has now been made clear and there is not a change in the position at this time," Ecclestone added.
"A number of the manufacturers and teams along with their sponsors have stated that they thought the president should stand down because of matters in his private life.
"This is their and only their opinion as they are not part of the FIA and therefore do not have votes.
"Personally Max has been a friend for 40 years and I hope he still is. He has in his way carried out many matters which have been beneficial to the FIA and should be appreciated for this."
In the wake of the Max Mosley umpalumpa scandal, McLaren boss Ron Dennis has refused to rule out backing a Formula One 'breakaway'.
It emerged recently that splitting with the Mosley-led FIA was discussed between team chiefs and Bernie Ecclestone during a series of meetings at the Canadian Grand Prix.
British-based team McLaren, last year fined $100m by the FIA for its involvement in a spy scandal, said in the wake of Mosley's retention as FIA President that it hoped the sport "will now enter a period of stability."
But at the Mercedes-powered team's Woking factory on Wednesday, for the launch of a British motorsport campaign 'Go Motorsport', Dennis refused to rule out a shakeup.
"If anything is put forward as an initiative that is in the best interests of Formula One and this company I will support it," he said in an interview with the news agency AP.
"That does not mean I favour any particular path at the moment. We need stability, consistency and the right values and images for Formula One and whatever process is put forward if it's the right one I'll support it," he added.
Dennis, McLaren's chairman, CEO and co-owner, said he was disappointed about the leaks following the Montreal meetings, including speculation that his team and also Honda support Ecclestone's rumoured 'breakaway' threat.
Meanwhile, Ecclestone has been putting out the fires of speculation on the matter:
From autosport.com:
Ecclestone downplays breakaway reports
By Pablo Elizalde Friday, June 13th 2008, 08:46 GMT
Bernie EcclestoneFormula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has written to the FIA member clubs to play down suggestions of a possible breakaway championship.
Talks to frame a new Concorde Agreement began during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, but there were reports that Ecclestone and the teams could go as far as creating a breakaway championship if they fail to get the FIA to agree with the new deal.
"I'm certainly not advocating a breakaway but in theory they could do their own deal for TV, whatever," Ecclestone was quoted in the Sunday Express as saying.
Ecclestone, however, has sent a letter to all FIA member clubs clarifying his and the teams' position.
"The position of Formula One Management and the teams and the Formula One promoters is very simple," Ecclestone wrote in the letter, a copy of which was seen by autosport.com.
"They would like a Concorde Agreement signed in basically the same format as in the past agreements which Formula One has been governed successfully by this type of document for over 25 years which helps to stabilise the Technical and Sporting Regulations.
"It follows the agreement reached with the European Commission where the FIA are the regulators of the sport and FOM are the commercial side of Formula One. We would hope that this can continue."
Ecclestone also said that nothing had changed in the FIA following the scandal involving president Max Mosley, despite calls from some manufacturers and clubs asking him to step down.
"As far as the FIA president is concerned this has now been made clear and there is not a change in the position at this time," Ecclestone added.
"A number of the manufacturers and teams along with their sponsors have stated that they thought the president should stand down because of matters in his private life.
"This is their and only their opinion as they are not part of the FIA and therefore do not have votes.
"Personally Max has been a friend for 40 years and I hope he still is. He has in his way carried out many matters which have been beneficial to the FIA and should be appreciated for this."
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
