The Japanese manufacturer pulled out of the sport in December last year. Team principal Ross Brawn and chief executive Nick Fry are looking for new owners, backers or a management buyout.

“We've been talking to them (the management), whatever happens we'd like to see the Formula One team stay in business,” Ecclestone told the Times Online.

Honda spent an estimated £210 million in a 2008 season where they scored just 14 points from 18 races and finished ninth overall.

Ecclestone however refused to comment on whether a direct financial commitment would be made by the FOM.

“I'd rather not comment on that but we will do whatever we have to do to try to make it happen. I don't even know whether we could legally be involved - we probably couldn't," he added.

“The Commission might say that because we are the commercial rights-holder (that) we shouldn't be part of it. I don't know at this stage, but there is a possibility that loans could be made or something.”