Renault's Stoll: manufacturers are 'main players' in F1

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Renault Sport boss Jerome Stoll has made clear to Liberty Media that the manufacturers are F1's "main players" thanks to their ongoing investment in the sport.

Gradually, discussions have been initiated by F1's new owners with participating teams and the manufacturers about the sport's current outlook and future.

Predictably, Renault's stance is that F1's manufacturers should be partners with Liberty in its venture to establish a new platform for the sport in the coming years.

"We've had some discussions [with Liberty]," Stoll told Motorsport.com.

"We explained that we should work together in order to increase the show, because the attractiveness of the show has decreased a little bit.

"We have to open a new era with Liberty, and they are really willing to do something different. I don't know what that's going to be, but we want to be considered as the main players for the show.

"Without the car makers like Mercedes, Ferrari [Honda] and ourselves – because we are the only ones who are developing engines and investing money – there's not going to be a show.

"So we have to establish a dialogue together and see how we can meet our target."

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The current Concorde agreement which governs the commercial contracts between the sport and the teams expires in 2020 but Stoll expects discussions on a new deal to start soon .

"Liberty is expected to discuss what will be in the future, because by 2020 everybody knows [the current deals] will stop," he said.

"There are a lot of things to change with this redistribution of rights, and the fact that small teams cannot survive. There are many things to be discussed, and this is something that can come in the coming weeks.

"We should work together to increase the audience – which is a ‘chicken and egg' process. If you increase the show you're going to increase the audience, but you can increase the audience as well by touching people in different ways.

"Pay TV and things like that was the system for a period of time, but it might be different in the coming years."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.