Ecclestone plans new championship without FIA

In the light of the inflicted damage to the image of Formula One by Max Mosley and his refusal to step down as FIA President after the sex-scandal in which he was involved, Bernie Ecclestone is exploring the possibility to set up a new championship outside the auspices of the governing body.

Yesterday evening, the Formula One supremo had a crisis meeting with the Formula One team principals at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. During the meeting, the teams and Ecclestone discussed the Mosley-situation and explored the possibilities to set up an independent championship.

Bernie Ecclestone, long-time friend of Max Mosley, has repeatedly asked the President to stand down. After the General Assembly in Paris last Tuesday, Mr. E has come to the conclusion that Mosley will not stand down and that Formula One itself must move. Walking away from the FIA in protest would be an historic development in a sport in which such threats by teams in the past have come to nothing.

According to a source of the British newspaper 'The Times' it's not impossible for Formula One to break away from the FIA: “The manufacturers supply the cars and the drivers and the sponsors, Bernie has the contracts with the circuits and the TV companies.” The championship would just have to be renamed and set up under a new organisation.

It seems that there is nothing to stop Formula One to move to a new structure. Especially not as it appears that all teams are on the side of Bernie. Even Ferrari, who has always been close with Mosley, seem to be on board for the plans of the Formula One supremo.