Ecclestone doubts Prodrive will be in F1

Prodrive's plans to enter F1 in 2008 are currently on hold in the wake of Williams's threats of legal action if the team enter the championship with customer McLaren cars.

And although Prodrive are hoping to resume talks with McLaren once the FIA give the entry the green light at a future Court of Appeal hearing, Ecclestone told reporters on Friday that he thought the team would not make it for next year.

When asked by autosport.com what he thought was going to happen to Prodrive, Ecclestone said: "I have no idea. I think they have decided to give up, haven't they? I think they have.

"They were all excited about coming in and it is a pity for them."

Prodrive said last week they were still committed to competing in Formula One next year, but the uncertainty over their entry has left them with little time to make it to the grid in March next year.

"Prodrive remain committed to participating in Formula One," the team stated. "We are hopeful that the current dispute over our eligibility to race will be clarified later this month. In the meantime, we will consider all our alternative options for next season."

Prodrive's entry also depends on the teams agreeing on a new Concorde Agreement, which will define what customer teams are, and under what financial terms they participate in the sport.

The current teams have so far failed to reach a unanimous accord, and some are suggesting the matter may not even be resolved until the eve of the 2008 season.

Ecclestone said, however, that he did not think customer cars should be allowed in F1 and made it clear he would prefer another manufacturer to take the 12th slot.

"Probably not," he said when asked if customer cars should be allowed in F1. "The teams say that the real constructors are spending half a billion (US dollars) a year and Prodrive's budget was about 75 million. It is not fair.

"I should think there will be 11 teams next year. (For 2009) let's see who the 12th is, it is open. Let's have a look and see.

"I would like to see another manufacturer coming in. There is one or two sort of having a look."