Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone says teams should be free to spend what they want in return for a long-term commitment to the sport, in yet another twist in the row over the future of the sport.
Eight of the 10 current teams, including the champions Ferrari, say they'll start planning their own championship from next year after failing to agree with the governing body on rules that include a budget cap.
Ecclestone says he has some sympathy for the teams as nobody wants to be told how they can spend their money.
Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher says he believes a breakaway series next year is a more realistic prospect than ever before.
The seven-time world champion says he's 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.
