F1’s commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone says yesterday’s High Court finding against him in London “means nothing” in the dispute between himself and three German banks.

Bernie Ecclestone’s future control of Formula One racing was thrown into doubt today when the UK's High Court ruled against him in a boardroom power struggle.

Formula One’s major car makers will press ahead with plans to launch a rival series “no later than 2008”, they revealed today.

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart has described the latest prospect of a breakaway world championship as nothing more than “idle threats” and “a non-starter.”

Fears of a rival series to Formula One being set-up looked to be over today after a breakthrough in talks aimed at resolving the future of the sport.

Motor racing chief Max Mosley is confident that the threat of a breakaway series from Formula One will not materialise in 2008.

Australia’s Mark Webber insists he will be happy to see Giancarlo Fisichella belatedly awarded victory in the Brazilian Grand Prix this morning – even though it could cost him his first points with Jaguar.