Ecclestone tips Massa for title

The sport's commercial boss believes that Massa has a good ally in former Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher - and that that could prove to be a decisive factor this season.

Speaking in an interview with Bild on Tuesday, Ecclestone said he was convinced about the driver and team who would come out on top in 2007.

"Massa and Ferrari," he said. "Ferrari have worked very strongly. And Schumacher was already in the last years like a team manager of Ferrari, and he will use his power to help Massa this year."

Ecclestone has said he doubts strong performances from German drivers Ralf Schumacher and Nick Heidfeld in 2007.

"Ralf is fast. The question is whether he is in the wrong car. Perhaps he would fit better at Renault.

"And BMW are strong. But in the last years Heidfeld never raced at the front, so why should he do it now?"

And Ecclestone claims he is still nowhere near the point where he is pondering retirement.

"If I am 100 then I will think about it," he said. "Perhaps I will then be able to leave it (the sport) more calmly. But now I still have plenty to do."