Breakaway would be 'total disaster' says Ecclestone

(GETTY IMAGES)

Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone insists he is "not going to let things disintegrate" with eight teams threatening to form a breakaway series because of an ongoing row with motor sport's governing body the FIA.

The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) - which includes Ferrari, McLaren, Brawn GP and Red Bull - are at odds with FIA president Max Mosley, primarily over plans to introduce a budget cap for the start of the 2010 season.

Ecclestone believes the differences between FOTA and Mosley can be "easily solved" and claimed any attempt to form a rival series would be mired in legal difficulties.

He told The Times: "My marriage broke up because of Formula One. I am sure as hell not going to let things disintegrate over what is, in the end, basically nothing.

"If you analyse all the problems - there aren't any that can't be easily solved.

"If (a breakaway) started, everybody would be suing everybody else and there would be no other series. There would be nothing. It would be finished - it would be a total disaster. Everyone would spend a fortune on lawyers and nothing will happen."

FOTA are due to meet again on Thursday to discuss whatever emerges out of Wednesday's World Motor Sport Council meeting in Paris when a number of issues will be up for discussion, not least the bitter feud between FIA and FOTA.

It is a meeting due to be attended by Ferrari president and FOTA chairman Luca di Montezemolo.

FOTA maintain plans to appoint an administrator for their series, the review of circuits and their own potential new entrants are in full swing, which could force Mosley's hand.