Strange how it works: in the wake of the Australian Grand Prix, at which Red Bull Racing and Jordan came out against Minardi's attempts to run an illegal car, Bernie Ecclestone 'allowed' that two further teams had signed the extended Concorde Agreement.

Now, remember how Ecclestone maintained he had spoken to 'five or six teams' immediately after the news of his deal with Ferrari broke? How he said they agreed with the move, and had indicated they would be signing up with him before the Australian Grand Prix? Well, those signatures certainly were not confirmed in Melbourne; if anything, at least four teams – Minardi, Williams, McLaren and Sauber - are thought to be a long way off signing up with Formula One Management, whilst the BAR/Honda combination and Toyota would appear to have hardened their attitudes towards the 76-year old.

That, then, leaves Renault – who are very much a part of the GPWC despite Flavio Briatore's friendship with Ecclestone – Red Bull Racing and Jordan. So, should Ecclestone have gained two signatures in the past week or so, they came most likely from the teams who closed ranks against Paul Stoddart.

Consider, though, that Ecclestone most certainly was not in Albert Park whilst Red Bull's motorsport management – Dr Helmut Marko and Christian Horner - and Jordan's bosses, from billionaire owner Alex Shnaider through team principal Colin Kolles to sporting director Trevor Carlin most certainly were. When, then, would this document have been signed?

Consider, next, that these are not manufacturer-backed teams, but entrepreneurial outfits requiring the goodwill of motor manufacturers for fairly vital components such as engines, particularly if privately-owned Cosworth decides to not continue with its Formula One programme.

Then, as this is being digested, come strong rumours that Honda will supply Red Bull come 2006 – just two seasons before the expiration of Concorde – on a subsidised customer basis. Meanwhile Jordan seem to be strengthening their ties with Toyota, who, as proven by their performance in Melbourne, cannot be too bad a move, for the Japanese team would seem to have one of the most driveable and reliable engines around.

Those suggestions alone make it unlikely that the newcomers would have committed themselves to Ecclestone so far ahead of any deadline, particularly as they are not in positions to err. Given that incorrect choices could spell the death-knell for either team, given that their ultimate masters are self-made billionaires obviously not easily swayed without in-depth analyses of situations, the chances of their being the signatories alluded to by Ecclestone would seem to be slim.

Finally, why is Ecclestone 'not in position' to name the alleged signatories? Why have the two teams in question been sworn to secrecy? Why has the FIA not commented as did in mid-January when Ferrari signed with Ecclestone? After all, the Italian team, Ecclestone's company and the FIA simultaneously distributed media releases announcing Ferrari's signature.