FIA must work with manufacturers, says Vatanen

By Alan Baldwin

NUERBURGRING, Germany (Reuters) - Formula One's world governing body must strive to keep the car manufacturers in the sport, would-be president Ari Vatanen said at the German Grand Prix.

The Finn, who has announced he would stand for International Automobile Federation (FIA) president in October regardless of incumbent Max Mosley's intentions, also called for reform of the Paris-based body.

"We must make sure they (the manufacturers) stay in the sport," said the former world rally champion and multiple Dakar winner turned European parliamentarian.

"In the past two years we have been much more on the battleground than on common ground," he said, adding that the future of the sport should not be determined by ego trips or power battles.

The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), which includes all the manufacturer-owned teams, are still working on plans for a breakaway series amid a standoff over the future and governance of the sport.

A breakthrough peace deal with the FIA last month has looked fragile, with the FOTA teams walking out of a technical meeting Wednesday after being told they were not fully entered in next year's championship and had no voting rights.

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FOTA sources have said they were now talking directly with commercial rights holders CVC to try to agree a deal that could cut the FIA out of the picture if major reforms were not accepted.