Bernie Ecclestone reckons Formula One can become even bigger as long as the major manufacturers who are threatening a rival series come to their senses.
Five car makers who all back teams – Fiat (Ferrari), Daimler Chrysler (McLaren-Mercedes), Ford (Jaguar), BMW (Williams) and Renault – have said they could form their own championship from 2008 when the present Concorde Agreement runs out.
The manufacturers want a bigger say in how the sport is run and how the television money is divided up.
But F1 impresario Ecclestone has called on car makers to forget about a breakaway series to secure the long-term future of the sport.
“If we act sensibly F1’s got enormous growth still, but we’ve got to sort this nonsense with these manufacturers and their silly ideas about alternate championships and things like that,” said Ecclestone.
“If we get together, lengthen the Concorde Agreement so there really is long-term stability, then there is enormous growth.”