In an interesting development, rumours of a racing series, rivalling F1 is gaining steam. As it turns out, former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has made a surprising claim. According to him, at least two Formula One team representatives have spoken to him about a breakaway series.
Sources speaking to RaceFans confirmed that the team representatives were Lawrence Stroll and Toto Wolff. Also present at the meeting in Switzerland was former Ferrari CEO Luca Di Montezemolo.
However, the three were the only ones at the meeting with Ecclestone, held during pre-season testing.
Meanwhile, the 10 teams will be in London attending a meeting with the FIA and commercial rights holder Liberty Media. The agenda for that meeting is he proposal for a new set of rules to overhaul the current ones after 2020.
This meeting is critical for Liberty Media as the rules need approval by a June deadline. However, Ecclestone has confessed that a rival series could never get off the ground.
Speaking to RaceFans, he said, “I don’t think it would ever happen. I can’t see they’d get everyone to agree. They’d need to get all the promoters to agree, everyone to agree.”
He continued, “The trouble with all these things are people sit around and talk and talk and talk. But when it comes to pulling the trigger there’s a big list of missing people.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson dismissed the claims of a rebel racing series. The spokesperson simply called it a ‘meeting between old friends’.
For now, the 10 F1 teams are training their focus on the 2019 F1 season. The next race is in Bahrain this weekend. Finnish driver and championship leader, Valtteri Bottas will be looking to extend his advantage in the desert.
However, his Mercedes teammate, Lewis Hamilton will not make it easy for him. Even Red Bull Honda driver, Max Verstappen is perceived as a major threat. Meanwhile, Scuderia Ferrari will likely shake off a sluggish start and pull up their socks.
