02/07/2014
NEWS STORY
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