Briatore: Time for deal has passed

With members of the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) scheduled to get together later this week to discuss the next step in their plans for a breakaway series, Briatore is adamant that the only thing on their mind is getting the new championship ready.

"We have tried to compromise, we have opened the door, we have tried everything," he said. "We have had the door closed in our face. The agreement has not been done by FOTA; it has been done by the manufacturers. All the ACEA people.

"Maybe the people aren't doing business, like somebody said, but the ACEA people are very firm, and this is their position, as simple as that."

FOTA is expected to get together on Thursday, the day after the FIA's World Motor Sport Council meets - and when potentially news about whether or not Max Mosley will stand for re-election in October could be made public.

Although confirmation that Mosley will see through with his plan to step down has been viewed by some members of FOTA as vital if they are going to consider progressing with a deal with the FIA, Briatore says that the outcome on Wednesday will not sway the body's position.

"I don't know. I've no idea," he said when asked if what happens on Wednesday would change anything regarding the breakaway. "I don't think the World Council will change anything regarding the FOTA teams."

Briatore has also expressed his disappointment over Mosley's comments about him at the weekend - where he was accused to trying to become the new Bernie Ecclestone.

"Max is going personal all the time," said Briatore. "I'm too much of a gentleman to go personal. If he wants to go personal, I have a lot to say about Max. I know. He needs to stop insulting people."

When asked about comments from Mosley that he was a 'loony' Briatore responded: "I don't want to personally describe what Max is because in his private life we have already had a demonstration of what he was in the News of the World.

"If he is talking about lunatics and stuff like that, he needs to watch himself, to just do the best job possible for him, the teams and not go personal, insulting me, the people from FOTA, the people from ACEA.

"It's enough. If there is somebody who needs to be very quiet in their personal life, it's him because for sure he is not a [good] example, to be president with what he has in his personal life.

"He needs to stop making it personal all the time."

And Briatore has also played down suggestions that he is planning on helping run the FOTA series.

"I see myself exactly like I am. I am in FOTA. I believe in FOTA - I was one of the first to believe in FOTA," he said. "I believe FOTA is strong, we want a championship with the best teams in the world, the best drivers in the world, and want the people in F1 who have the knowledge of being in F1, not GP3 or GP4.

"We want real teams, not empty boxes. We are very curious because Friday was the deadline to announce the teams for the FIA 2010 championship.

"It was very hard for us to really be ready for Friday. This was supposed to be the day for the list of the new teams in Formula 1. I don't see this list. I am very curious to see this list."