Horner confident 'all teams' will sign new Concorde deal

40

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner is confident all F1 teams, including Mercedes, will sign F1's new Concorde Agreement by next Wednesday's deadline.

The all-important document will bind the teams to F1 for several years from 2021, dictating the sport's commercial, financial and governance future.

However, on Friday, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff revealed that the German manufacturer was still at odds with several provisions included in the covenant, although Wolff would not reveal the sticking points.

The Austrian also alluded to Mercedes' grievances regarding how its contribution to the success of the sport is being under-valued relative to Ferrari which receives each year a hefty historical payment from F1 and also enjoys a veto power against the rules in specific circumstances.

Wolff: Rival teams' public stance 'up the arse' of Liberty

Ferrari and McLaren on the other hand claim to be ready to put pen to paper on August 12 and commit to the new agreement.

And Horner is confident that all teams will eventually line up next week to seal a new Concorde deal.

"I think it’s only a matter of days away," Horner said. "I would envisage that all teams would be signing at some point."

Horner has been through previous Concorde negotiations, mainly during the reign of former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, but admitted that "it's been a different experience this time to previously".

"I think the agreement is what it is," he said. "The contents of it is confidential between the teams and the promoter.

"You have to look at the bigger picture and look at it as a partnership, in many respects, that we need Liberty to bring as much revenue into the sport and interest and coverage, that ultimately the teams and all participants will benefit from.

"You have to take a bit of a holistic view on these things, you’re never going to get everything you want. I’m sure it will be concluded in the coming days."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.