“The FIA is a non-profit organisation, but we need to run our
organisation. We need to encourage the development of the sport, we need to
encourage development of action for road safety.
“We cannot be a federation without having any revenue. So where do we
find our revenues?”
“[But] it makes me smile when I read that we are going to lose control.
I will never allow things which are under our responsibility to be dealt
with by anybody else.
“For me, the FIA must have a bigger impact, not erosion. I’m not a
dictator trying to control. The contribution and the role of the FIA has to
be protected, to be respected.
“We have the last say to write the rules but I think it’s very important
that we write the rules together with the people who are going to
participate in the sport.”
None of the teams are yet entered into next year’s championship, with the
entry fees not yet set, while two teams – HRT and Marussia – have not even
been offered commercial terms by Ecclestone.
There are disagreements, too, over the path forward in terms of cutting costs
– with Red Bull keen for any new Resource Restriction Agreement to apply to
engines as well as chassis.
Todt, though, said he felt discussions leading up to Monday’s meeting augured
well. “We have had several discussions with the commercial rights holder,
with CVC, with Bernie,” Todt said.
“On our side the situation is clear on what we are prepared to propose and to
accept, which seems to be the same on the promoters’ level but until … We
have to be very cautious until things are signed.
“My wish is to settle a balanced agreement between commercial rights holders,
the teams and the FIA, respecting the rights and the duties of the
competitors, the rights and the duties of the commercial rights holders and
the rights and the duties of the FIA as a regulator and legislator.
“So, if you ask, am I optimistic? Yes. I think that what we have agreed in our
discussions does answer constructively to my questions, the FIA’s questions.
But until it is signed, it is not done.”