F1: Bernie Ecclestone sends major warning to Italian Grand Prix organisers

Sport360 staff 10:09 28/03/2015
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  • F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is offering no assurances about the future of the Monza Grand Prix.

    Bernie Ecclestone is prepared to let the Italian Grand Prix follow Germany by dropping off the Formula One calendar, in a stark warning for organisers.

    The F1 supremo told reporters yesterday, “What goes, goes” when asked whether the historic race at Monza, first run in 1950, could also fall victim after this year’s German race was cancelled.

    There are lots of things we all would like, but we don’t have them because we can’t afford them,” said Ecclestone, in reply to a question about F1’s European heartland. Ecclestone could not confirm whether the German race would go ahead next year.

    Ecclestone admitted “it would be terrible” if Europe lost its remaining races, and would effectively mean that Formula One was no longer a world championship.

    But he added: “It’s funny how these people dig up all this money for things like the Olympics, swimming championships, European athletics, and God knows what else to boost the country.

    “The trouble in Germany was the Nurburgring spent an awful lot of money which they borrowed, didn’t need to spend what they spent, and therefore didn’t need to borrow the amount they borrowed.

    “They forgot to pay it back, and that caused a few ripples. It sent a bad message.”

    Meanwhile, Ecclestone told teams to stop moaning and focus on improving after an uprising of complaints rocked the start of the new season.

    Ecclestone said he was looking at ways to make F1 more interesting, with ideas including a “Grand Slam” of races and awarding points for qualifying.

    “I’ve no complaints or problems about Mercedes doing what they are doing. The complaint I’ve got is the others not doing the same,” he said. “A lot of them tend to be blaming the engine and perhaps its only 50 percent of the problem. The other 50 percent is that they, themselves, are not getting the job done.”

    Renault could quit Formula One

    Renault could yet quit Formula One if the French manufacturing giant feels it is not getting value from the sport. That was the warning from managing director Cyril Abiteboul, who has been embroiled in a war of words these past few days with Red Bull’s hierarchy.

    Team principal Christian Horner claimed power-unit supplier Renault had delivered an “undriveable” system that was 100bhp shy of dominant Mercedes. Design guru Adrian Newey then said there was “no light at the end of the tunnel” with regard to a power unit that possesses “all sorts of failings”. Abiteboul fired back by saying Newey as someone “who lies”.

    Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul with Red Bulls' Christian Horner during happier times.

    In yesterday’s FIA press conference, Abiteboul, however, made clear F1 has to fit in with Renault’s long-term strategy.

    I can confirm we are looking at a lot of options, including getting out of Formula One,” confirmed Abiteboul. 

    “Honestly, if F1 is that bad for Renault’s reputation, if we see we struggle with the current formula, if F1 is not delivering value (compared to) what it costs Renault – bearing in mind when you are an engine supplier you have no financial incentive to fund engine development – this is what we are looking at.”

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