Bernie Ecclestone has responded to speculation that formula one could lose its most successful-ever driver at the end of 2006.
In an interview with ‘Tagblatt’, the 75-year-old F1 supremo recalled similar fears after Ayrton Senna died in 1994 that the sport could not cope with the loss of its biggest star.
”And Ayrton was more popular than Michael,” Ecclestone said, referring to the seven time world champion, Michael Schumacher, whose Ferrari contract runs out at the end of the year.
”But we went on. F1 has survived since 1950 so I assume that it is more popular than one driver.”
Meanwhile, unlike many of the older faces in today’s paddock, Briton Ecclestone says he does not pine for the ‘good old days’.
He insisted: ”Today we are much more professional and the cars are a lot safer, but still people always talk about the good old days.”
Bernie, however, is no fan of today’s constant bickering in pit lane about politics, rules and money, admitting that F1’s fans deserve a better show.
”All they want are exciting races,” he said, ”so we have got to do a better job for them.
”I’m working on it.” gmmf1dailyf1news.com
