Ecclestone Wants Three-Car Teams in 2003

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has suggested that 2003 could see the introduction of a new rule by which teams will be able to compete with three cars.

"Instead of two it will be three," Ecclestone told Sportbusiness. "It will probably be three drivers and three cars and probably happen next year, but we'll have to wait and see.

"It makes it more competitive because the teams will run three cars, so there will be another seven competitive cars we could run.

"In fact, when we started the Championships I think there might have been three. We need 18 to 20 cars. Unfortunately we got one down to 22, so if we lose Arrows, we'll have 20 and if we lose Minardi we will have 18. I think in the end their fortunes will improve through the winter."

The debt-ridden Arrows team were close to missing last weekend's British Grand Prix due to the lateness in the payment to engine supplier Cosworth. Team boss Tom Walkinshaw personally paid $4.75 million to Cosworth in order to be able to compete last Saturday, but the future of team is far from secured.

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart also said this year that his team were in a difficult position and that their budget didn't allow them to finish the season unless they got $10 million (US) television money bonus that he claimed Minardi were entitled to.

Stoddart recently confirmed that they first installment of the money was on its way.