Is F1 only successful for the rich?

The mentioned stables are not the only ones concerned. Regarding Force India, Adrian Sutil, for example, recently declared that it was ? of a small team and this is the reason why we cannot sustain the pace of development of Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren et Mercedes ».

Does this mean that if the means cannot reach those of the top teams, a small structure is doomed to failure? “ It is not fair if a team with a budget of 60 million pounds (70 million euros) has to compete against a competitor whose budget reaches 300 million (350 euros). But it's like that, says Bernie Ecclestone. This injustice is the same in all sports. Take football, for example. Real Madrid or Bayern Munich can spend 60 million pounds to buy a player. Other clubs, no. Life is not fair ».

Max Mosley?s desire to set a budgetary limit, when he was President of the FIA, would not have prevented abuses, thinks Ecclestone. “ The people involved in F1 will always spend the money they have in their pockets. It is a fact. Only technical limits can be a brake on spending. I think we are moving in the right direction. Settlement stability will help save money ».

Then comes the question of the interest of the “paying” driver, whose suitcase will be filled with tickets, but whose performance will not help a team aim higher than the abilities of its rookie. “ Once again, that is how it is. But if a driver has something special, a team will always look for a way to keep him, even if he doesn't bring the budget. If sponsors are willing to invest, they will always be OK to take it ».

As for the solutions found by some, like Frank Williams, whose team entered the Frankfurt Stock Exchange this morning to secure its future, Bernie Ecclestone thinks it's a good thing. “ Others should think the same way, because I think there are enough interested investors. F1 is by far the best global platform for a business "He argues.