Ecclestone is facing a threat to his control of F1

Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has criticised manufacturers and teams for trying to influence how the sport is run.

DaimlerChrysler, Ford, BMW, Renault and Fiat have threatened to set up a rival championship if they are not given more control and a bigger slice of F1's revenue.

And the Williams and McLaren teams are taking legal action against the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the sport's governing body, claiming they should have been consulted over changes to the rules.

Ecclestone, however, indicated that he is unwilling to cede any ground in the struggle for power.

As far as Formula One goes I believe in dictatorship F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone

"The carmakers should not get involved in Formula One too much," said Ecclestone.

"Their executives are only interested in winning. If they don't, they lose interest at some stage."

The existing "Concorde Agreement" between the teams, Ecclestone and the FIA runs until the end of 2007.

And the five manufacturers have formed a company called GPWC with a view to forming a breakaway championship if their demands are not met.

Ecclestone also hit out at the teams for seeking more influence in decision-making.

"They are only concerned about what advantages they could have for the next race," he told German newspaper Sport Bild.

"They never think about the next season and they never think about the sport.

"The teams now want more democracy. In my opinion it cannot work.

"As far as Formula One goes, I believe in dictatorship."