Michael Schumacher on Saturday said he believed that the political schism that currently divides Formula One has made a breakaway series next year a more realistic prospect than ever before.

The seven-times drivers world champion said he hoped the current crisis in the sport can be solved - and quickly - but believes serious damage has already been done.

Writing on his own website the 40-year-old German said: "I find it extremely unfortunate that in Formula One recently there is so much talk about politics and so little about sport.

"I really hope those political games will soon be ended - they were already getting on my nerves during all my career.

"Because in the end, doesn't it all come down to one simple fact: motorsport is a great sport? Formula One has always been the best of it and has to remain the pinnacle.

"Formula One has always been the platform for the best drivers and the best teams. This is what is admired all over the world; this is what everybody wants to see.

"But if this is constantly put into question due to permanent uncertainty of rules it is maybe better to really defend that value, leave and establish it somewhere else in a reasonable way."

Schumacher said he was baffled by the fact that the teams, and the FIA, the ruling body, could not agree on rule changes that would have secured the long-term future of the sport.

"It is simply not understandable that all teams share their view on how to approach the reforms and the governing body still wants to implement something else," he said.

"Of course this seems unimaginable in the first moment, but this time all big teams stick together. This makes a new championship much more realistic. It is starting to be a real alternative to me.

"As a motorsport fan, I want to watch the best show which is where the best drivers and the best teams compete with each other."

AFP

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