F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who once said that Europe would become the new third world, sees an equally murky future for its involvement in F1.

Spain's Marca quotes the Englishman as saying that he envisages a time in the not too distant future when the sport, which this year hosted nine rounds of the championship, might only host five.

"I think in the next few years, Europe will be left with only five races," he said. "I think Europe is finished. It will be a good place for tourism but little else. Europe is a thing of the past."

When it was pointed out that Europe has always been the spiritual home of F1 - why else the need to force race organizers in Asia and the Middle East to host evening and night races - Ecclestone replied: "It used to be."

With Russia due to host its inaugural race in 2014, Ecclestone believes that South Africa and Mexico could be next to seek slots on the calendar.

Of course, it's mainly in the east where gullible governments fall for Ecclestone's hype, convinced that F1 is the thing that will really put them on the map. After just a few years countries like China, Turkey and Korea have discovered this not to be the case.

While the sport shamefully continues to give the United States the finger, it remains to be seen which goes down the tubes first, Europe or F1.