Ecclestone Warns Drivers over US GP Boycott

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has warned Michael Schumacher that he could lose his drivers' title if he decides not to race at the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis in two weeks' time.

Ecclestone responded to claims that some drivers, who have been deeply affected by the atrocities in the United States, were considering not racing at the Brickyard circuit despite the FIA's insistence that the race would continue as planned.

"Let's get one thing straight. Michael Schumacher is not the 2001 World Champion yet, anything could happen," Ecclestone said in British newspaper The Sunday Times. "Maybe he could lose his points over one of the next three races. I'm sure that won't be the case, but it could be.

"The race is going to take place, but I can't control what drivers are going to do. However, there may be retaliation."

The event has been in doubt following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, and some drivers have expressed their disagreement with the race taking place. German Ralf Schumacher said the idea to hold the race was "a bad joke", and that he was not willing to take his family there.

But Ecclestone believes the race should go ahead as planned, and he agreed with FIA president Max Mosley in saying that Formula One should not surrender to terrorism.

"It wasn't a hard decision to go ahead with the race," Ecclestone was quoted as saying by Autosport.com. "It was simple. We have a contract and we are honouring a contract, just like we always do. The terrorists have just done something which is unbelievable.

"These attacks have been such a big shock to the entire world. To everybody. My feeling is simple. You cannot bow down to terrorism.

"These people did this to terrorise the world and if we are terrorised and stop what we are doing they have achieved what they wanted to achieve. Everyone in America and the rest of the world should go on exactly as normal and refuse to give in to them."