MONZA, Italy, Sept 13 (AFP) - Ferrari team principal Jean Todt has warned Formula One could lose some of its 10 teams next season and called for the sport's chiefs to solve its backroom problems before it is too late.
The teams currently receive 47 percent of the sport's revenue, which is currently split between them and the holding company SLEC, and have demanded a greater share in the future.
Five manufacturers - Ferrari, Renault, Mercedes, BMW and Ford - have threatened to create a breakaway series called the GPWC if they are not handed a greater proportion of the revenue.
"I feel that we should share more revenues," warned Todt.
"As long as you have major manufacturers involved, Formula One will cost money and it's very difficult for the small teams to get engines and to find the money.
"For the last few years you have seen Prost and Arrows disappear and some teams are really struggling. Fortunately, we have had some teams joining like Toyota, but the balance isn't easy.
"The economic situation is not very good and there is definitely a risk to lose teams next year - one, two, three - and then it will definitely damage Formula One. We have to take that into consideration."
The current commercial deal with SLEC, which is owned by Bernie Ecclestone and a trio of banks, comes to an end at the end of 2007 and the teams are currently trying to negotiate a solution.
"What Bernie Ecclestone did in Formula One is great but we have to be cautious that things move quickly as 2008 is very close and the situation in Formula One is not very strong," said Todt.
On the track Ferrari have enjoyed an era of domination that many say has harmed the sport and they continued the trend with their eighth one-two of the season in the Italian Grand Prix here Sunday.
Things did not look good when Rubens Barrichello found himself on wet tyres on a drying track and Michael Schumacher dropped down to the back of the field when he spun his car on the opening lap.
But the pair fought back to claim the team's 13th success in 15 races with Barrichello finally defeating Schumacher to claim his first win of the season.
"I thought that maybe it would be the first race without scoring points but in the end we have been very strong," said Todt.
"We had already been first and second seven times before and this was the eighth time."
Barrichello was delighted by his overdue success and Todt added: "It is very important for everybody. It is for his spirit. It's very tough when you are always close but you have your team-mate who is in front of you."