Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has once again ignited calls for a breakway series when the current Concorde agreement expires at the end of 2012.
The Italian has, several times, voiced his interest in setting up a rival to Formula One, leading the charge in 2009 when FOTA announced they would leave, before backing down.
In an interview with CNN, Montezemolo said there were three options, continue, leave or find a different partner, likely NewsCorp and Exor who recently showed interest in acquiring F1.
“I think we have to be very pragmatic. At the end of 2012, the contracts of every single team with CVC will expire. So, we have three alternatives,” di Montezemolo said.
“We renew with CVC, or we theoretically, as the basketball teams did in the U.S. with great success, we create our own company, like the NBA. Just to run the races, the TV rights and so.
“And third, to find a different partner. Bernie Ecclestone did a very good job but he has already sold out three times, so he doesn’t own the business anymore. It is CVC that will sell. It will be the teams’ decisions.
“At the end of 2012, the contract will expire, so theoretically CVC doesn’t own anything. I think it is important to have alternatives. We will see. We have time to do it.”
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