Ahead of official news regarding the future of Caterham, Bernie Ecclestone refuses to get sentimental instead relishing the possibility of three-car teams.

The F1 supremo has never been the sentimental type, be it teams, circuits or even drivers, famously saying, at a time of heightened problems among the driver ranks, that in the old days, to paraphrase, there was a natural culling. His meaning quite unmistakable.

Having said he is keen to see Monza drop from the calendar - though many see this as a ploy to increase the event hosting fee - the Briton is refusing to get mawkish in terms of the fate of Caterham which was lured into the sport by the promise of a budget cap which would have (ahem) levelled the playing field.

Instead, of Caterhams and Marussias cluttering up his grids the F1 supremo would prefer to see the big teams field third cars, a proposal that fits perfectly with the desires of Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.

"Is it better to see a third Ferrari or a Caterham?" Ecclestone told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Ferrari might find new sponsors in America and an American driver. Great. The same for the others.

"Let's take Caterham," he continued. "They have invested a load of money, they are going to need a load more and therefore paying drivers. But what for if they have never been competitive?"

Other than who might be willing to drive a third Ferrari at present - Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen both having had more than enough of the F14T, one wonder how a sport, which is already haemorrhaging fans and viewers, would cope with a Mercedes 1-2-3 week after week.

Maybe Bernie needs to go to Specsavers, because he clearly isn't seeing straight.

And as for his dismissal of Tony Fernandes and the money he has invested into the sport, Ecclestone's attitude should serve as a stark warning to any others follishly seeking to get involved.

Chris Balfe

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Darvi, 03/07/2014 9:46

"Another idiotic comment from the gnome and a real smack in the face for Caterham and Marussia. Maybe Bernie would prefer it if there was just one manufacturer ..... ah yes, that is GP2 which he was lining up as the main show not that long ago when the teams were planning to jump ship.

The heyday (IMO) of Formula 1 was back when you could buy an engine from Cosworth, a gearbox from Hewland, build a chassis and go racing - remember the days of pre-qualifying? Max and Bernie killed that notion when they tempted the manufacturers in and made the entry costs prohibitive for the smaller teams. This led to the downfall of teams like Lotus, Brabham, Tyrrell and nearly Williams. Then, when the manufacturers started leaving, they tempted in the little guys again with false promises of cost cutting and a level playing field only to crap all over them now it suits them, albeit, Max has now dissappeared having taken a beating, so to speak.

Ecclestone has no long term strategy, he's 84, he doesn't need one, he is simply out there to make as much money each year as possible and to manipulate the politics in whichever way suits his "plan du jour".

He needs to be replaced with someone that can build a long term vision for the sport and who will work with the FIA to deliver the vision."

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2. Posted by Martin B, 03/07/2014 8:16 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 03/07/2014 8:19)

"I wonder whether you might want to post a poll "Should Bernie step down?" I mostly respect the man for the many things that he has done but in recent years a lot of his pronouncements have been mad, in my opinion. Is it time for him to go?"

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3. Posted by miss d'it, 02/07/2014 13:11

"Uncle Bernie is a very shrewd guy, his longevity at the 'wheel' of F1 proves this.
When he starts making comments on successive days, you have to wait for the 3rd or 4th gospel, then look at all of them and see what little nuggets are hidden as to the true identity of his thoughts.
Is Monza a smokescreen for more money, or is it a ploy to keep LDM on board by going to Mugello, as is the 3car ferrari team, with references to america.
Sometimes the politics of F1 stink, do we need the little teams? Or do we want 3car teams?
I as a fan I want the smaller teams, don't knock them, remember that Max had the 6th fastest lap time at Monaco.
"

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4. Posted by Peter W, 02/07/2014 9:01

"Problem is its all about Bernie and his pocket. Not the fans. The shroud has no pockets Bernie."

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Ecclestone not getting teary eyed over Caterham

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