That led to the FIA yesterday issuing legal proceedings against the eight teams that will be officially instigated on Monday.

Mosley is convinced the FOTA eight will return to the fold, and it has been suggested there is still scope for a compromise.

Schumacher, though, believes a rival championship could be in the best interests of the sport.

“I find it extremely unfortunate that in Formula One recently there is so much talk about politics and so little about sport,” said the former Ferrari star.

“I really hope those political games will soon be ended. They got on my nerves during all my career.

“Because in the end doesn’t it all come down to one simple fact? Motorsport is a great sport; Formula One has always been the best of it and has to remain the pinnacle.

“Formula One has always been the platform for the best drivers and the best teams.

“This is what is admired all over the world, this is what everybody wants to see.

“But if this is constantly put into question due to permanent uncertainty of rules, it is maybe better to really defend that value, leave and establish it somewhere else in a reasonable way.

“It is simply not understandable that all teams share their view on how to approach the reforms, and the governing body still wants to implement something else.

“Of course this seems unimaginable at this moment, but this time all the big teams are sticking together.

“This makes a new championship much more realistic. It is starting to be a real alternative to me.

“As a motorsport fan I want to watch the best show, which is where the best drivers and the best teams compete with each other.”