Bernie to issue ultimatum to teams

Bernie Ecclestone, in a London airport meeting next week, will issue a 'take it or leave it'-style ultimatum to Ferrari's nine Formula One rivals. The F1 impresario, with more money to offer, wants them to join the scarlet pacesetter in agreeing to sign a new Concorde Agreement to last until 2012. ''We want to have this all over with before … the first race. Absolutely,'' Bernie, 74, said.

Meanwhile, according to UK's The Times newspaper, Paul Stoddart – on behalf of all non-Ferrari teams – will send a letter to FIA president Max Mosley accusing Ferrari of 'cashing in' on alleged favoritism. Bernie denied the charge. ''The other (teams) didn't know about (the Ferrari deal),'' he admitted to Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport, ''but I'm getting in contact with them. The advantages (of the new deal) are undeniable.''