As part of his quest for world domination, bringing more and more eager, and wealthy, countries into F1, Bernie Ecclestone is leaving little to chance.

As if the thought of all that publicity, the international kudos, and the tourist zillions flooding into the respective nations wasn't enough, Ecclestone is now claiming that an F1 race will help nurture local talent.

The Englishman has already made it quite clear that he wants as many as 20 Grands Prix a year, though team bosses remain unconvinced. He would also like to see the off-season shortened. After all, the hundreds of thousands of winter testing miles don't bring in any money, which to Bernie simply doesn't make sense.

It will not have escaped his attention that over the winter race fans are poorly served. Although casual fans will go elsewhere, the diehards, like junkies, will seek out an alternative high-octane fix.

There has long been speculation of a 'winter series', and speaking over the weekend Ecclestone dropped the clearest hint yet that such an idea hasn't escaped his attention.

While governments are falling over themselves in their eagerness to get on board, many are asking what is the point of hosting a Grand Prix if the citizens don't have a local hero to cheer for. Organizers at Silverstone are using the fact that there are currently four British drivers in F1 to boost sales of tickets for this year's Grand Prix, but what about Turkey, China or Singapore?

Asked what is needed to develop drivers from these emerging nations, Ecclestone told the New Straits Times: "Think of the number of drivers who come from Europe to take part in all the different races, "it's easy to pick someone.

"However, you can't just pick anyone out of a saloon car. So really, we have to run an open world championship in Asia at a higher level, and then for sure, we're going to find more drivers.

"There's a formula called GP2," he continued, "which is a step down from F1, and which people generally graduate from. I want to make sure we bring that series to Asia in the winter, so hopefully we get to find a few drivers through the exposure."

So there you are, a number of issues solved in just a few words. Further encouragement for Eastern governments to get out their cheque books, and a possible answer to those long boring winter nights in Europe.

Fact is, courtesy of A1 GP, Bernie knows that there is a demand for winter racing, furthermore - again courtesy of A1 GP - he is aware that many of the rising nations do have talented drivers coming through.

It remains to be seen when (not if) the 'GP2 Winter Series' will be implemented. Question is, will Bernie do the sensible thing and run it alongside A1 G1 rather than in competition?