The crisis affecting Formula One appeared to have eased over the weekend as Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone softened their stance towards the eight teams threatening to set up a rival series.

Mr Mosley, president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, said on Sunday at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone that he believed a resolution was likely, just two days after declaring the FIA would issue legal proceedings against the eight dissenting teams. “We are very close. What divides us and the team is minimal, and really is something we could sit down and iron out quickly,” Mr Mosley said.