Bernie Ecclestone could form breakaway series

Only days after Bernie Ecclestone was ousted from his lengthy reign over Formula One, rumours are gathering that the 86 year old might be planning a breakaway series.

Suggestions are that Ecclestone will sell his remaining $28 million stake in the series, which will leave him with a total share of 0.5%. Flavio Briatore, former manager of Benetton and Renault, and long time friend of Ecclestone has predicted that Formula One's darkest days are yet to come.

"The picture is bleak," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport, "with teams in financial crisis, circuits collapsing and this hybrid formula that serves no one."

Suggested by Germany's Auto Bild, a 'GP1' series in Ecclestone's most likely concept if he follows through with current rumours. The idea was devised by Briatore many years ago. The report also added that 'GP1' would feature current GP2 and GP3 teams featuring normally aspirated engines and lower budgets.   

Another theory is that teams who are against Liberty Media's planned budget cap will follow Ecclestone into his new series. Head of driver development at Red Bull Dr Helmut Marko said: "We are fully behind Formula One and want nothing to do with any other planned series." 

Fergal Walsh