Bernie Ecclestone on the offensive
A long and unpleasant argument about the future of Formula One is finally coming to an end.
After noises of compromise started filtering into the paddock, even the breakaway group - made up of five F1 carmakers - now admits that talks with Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA are making strides of progress.
"The negotiations are moving clearly forwards," GPMA media contact Xander Heijnen told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur, "and the chance (of a solution) have now increased."
Bernie Ecclestone is also hopeful of a final solution, but he will have done little to appease the carmakers` anger by giving an interview to German sporting magazine Sport Bild this week.

The 75-year-old likened the GPMA row over Formula One to a family that cannot decide how to treat an ill relative.

"I am the doctor," said Ecclestone.

He vowed to make F1 a sport that can be tackled for about $60m (US) per year, rather than the current minimum of about $240 million, and called Toyota`s estimated $500m-plus annual expenditure - and staff levels of 1000 - `dangerous` for the sport.
"Cosworth make a competitive engine for $20 million," he added, "so others can too."
Ecclestone totally dismissed the concept of a GPMA-run breakaway series in 2008.
"(The carmakers) have no chance," he insisted. "They have no right to a greater share (of the sport`s revenues) but it is taking them a long time to realise it."

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