Former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone believes teams need to "sue the FIA" in light of a settlement with Ferrari over their engine.
Last week, the governing body revealed the private agreement with the Italian team following a technical investigation into whether they had managed to circumvent sensors which police the 100kg per hour fuel flow limit on their power unit.
After the seven teams not linked to Ferrari called for transparency on the matter, the FIA confirmed the settlement had been reached to avoid a legal fallout, with the investigation unable to definitely determine if the engine was legal or not.
While such an arrangement is well within the FIA's parameters, Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul claimed those teams still wanted "assurances", and Ecclestone feels the only way to do that is through the courts.
“The teams must sue the FIA," he told the F1 Insider.
"It is about millions of dollars, which I think they are entitled to. If Ferrari was so innocent, why didn't they make the settlement with Jean Todt public? To me, that looks like a confession."
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Indeed, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has already suggested he should have directed team boss Christian Horner for the financial difference between second and third in the Constructors' Championship.
And while Ecclestone says he was able to quell unrest like this during his time in charge, he's unsure if that can happen this time.
“There have always been fires that I had to put out as a fireman. In my time, however, it was always possible to find a middle way with the teams, the FIA and myself. Now that is too late," he concluded.
