Bernie Ecclestone may have let two of F1’s most closely guarded secrets out of the bag.
The F1 supremo gave a wide-ranging interview to the London-based ‘Times’ newspaper this week, in which he was asked to summarise the chances of leading teams ahead of the 2007 season.
Referring to Ferrari, which is yet to announce officially that its technical director is planning a ‘sabbatical’ or retirement, he said: “It will be a different team without Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn.”
75-year-old Ecclestone also may have spoiled Ron Dennis’ schedule for the announcement of a teammate for 2007 McLaren driver Fernando Alonso, by saying: “Lewis Hamilton will not have a race drive (but) if it was my decision, I’d be prepared to take the risk.”
Meanwhile, Bernie chimed in on the argument about ‘dirty tricks’ in Brazil by predicting that Michael Schumacher, racing for the last time, is unlikely to repeat indiscretions of the past by punting Fernando Alonso off the track.
“In my opinion,” said Ecclestone, “Michael will drive in the most correct manner he has ever driven in formula one.”
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com
