FIA must work with manufacturers - Vatanen

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 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 stand-off 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 on Wednesday after being told they were not fully entered in next year's championship and had no voting rights.

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.

FOTA want Mosley to stand down and have made clear they would not welcome former Ferrari boss Jean Todt as his successor but Vatanen said he would not be drawn into a slanging match.

"I will never throw dirt on Max. I have a very good relationship with him. I totally disagree with many things he has done, he probably disagrees with me but that is on another level," he said.

The Finn said the current FIA voting system made it hard to oust an incumbent and he would ensure, if elected, that it would be much easier to get rid of him.

Vatanen said American Automobile Association president Robert Darbelnet, who had wanted Mosley to resign last year at the height of a sado-masochistic sex scandal involving the Briton, was one of his strongest supporters.