Mercedes F1 Exec Dir Toto Wolff "believes Formula 1 can be made less predictable once discussions about the current engine formula progress," according to EUROSPORT. F1's four engine manufacturers have until Jan. 15 "to come up with a list of proposals to answer a range of questions regarding the current power unit after plans for an independent engine were blocked." Wolff accepts F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone's "ultimate aim to close up the F1 field," and he said that Mercedes is "prepared to put some of its own interests to one side." Wolff said, "We are all pretty clear we want to move forward, and I'm having really good discussions with Bernie every single day about where things should go. His product is difficult to sell if you know before the start which driver or team is going to win." Asked whether common ground "was possible given the needs of the engine manufacturers, and the wishes of Ecclestone and the FIA," Wolff added, "Yes, of course. In sports, in business, like in any other relationship it is about compromise, and finding the best compromise" (EUROSPORT, 1/1).
EXIT STRATEGY: SPORTAL reported Ferrari President Sergio Marchionne has urged Ecclestone to "get organised" and ensure plans are in place to safeguard the future of the sport. Ecclestone revealed last October that three parties were interested in completing an F1 takeover, but said that "the interested bidders all wanted him to stay on" as CEO. Marchionne has "saluted the work done by Ecclestone, but said the 85-year-old should be looking beyond his time in power." Marchionne: "Ecclestone knows that he is not going to be there forever and maybe this is also connected to the future of FOM [Formula One Management]. The real challenge for Bernie is to get organized. He needs to come up with a system where maybe some responsibilities can be developed differently" (SPORTAL, 1/2).
