Bernie: F1 rebels got 'carried away'

Bernie Ecclestone believes teams got carried away when they threatened to set up a breakaway Formula 1 series earlier this year, the sport’s commercial supremo saying he saw “no logic” in a rebel championship.

The eight FOTA teams announced in June plans to create a rival category at the end of the season after long-running talks over the future of F1 with the FIA reached deadlock, before a peace deal was ultimately thrashed out and a new Concorde Agreement eventually signed earlier this month.

Looking back at the saga in an interview with Singapore’s Today newspaper, F1 impresario Ecclestone said he never saw the sense in trying to create a new championship to rival such an established product.

“This business is built now and it is easier to do what we are doing rather than start something again,” he told the newspaper.

“I wouldn't want to start a series in opposition to Formula 1, for sure.

“There is no real reason for it, there is no logic in it.

“Just as I said to people, those who wanted to break away must have been carried away.

“The trouble is they are more the corporate types. This isn't a corporate business, it is an entrepreneur business.”

With F1 having faced the cataclysmic prospect of losing the major manufacturer teams and a host of star drivers should FOTA have carried out its threat, Ecclestone admits he probably wouldn’t have stayed around to try and rebuild his empire.

“There wouldn't be any point in staying if it collapses, would it?” he asked.

“I probably think it's not worth the effort rebuilding it.

“I've got enough energy to do many, many other things and that is what I would be doing.”

Source: ITV