Secretly, Patrick Duffeler approaches every circuit guaranteeing the promoters lower race fees and freedom from Bernie. He signs up half the circuits, including the opening races for 1977 (Brazil and Argentina). But, behind the scenes, Bernie firms up contracts with the remaining circuits and quietly gains the support of the all-powerful Enzo Ferrari, before informing Duffeler of a total boycott of the CSI’s circuits. Faced with Grands Prix without Ferrari and the British teams and the humiliation of a public retraction, Duffeler and the CSI back down in private. Bernie signs up all CSI circuits for the next three years.