Teams Should Reduce Spending, Says Ecclestone

Formula One teams waste too much money and should reduce their spending - rather than look to the governing body for cost-cutting solutions, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone believes.

For the last couple of years the FIA has been trying to find ways of cutting down the high costs of running a Formula One team to ensure all ten teams are able to compete. Among the new measures taken for this season are the one engine per weekend rule and a limit on the number of testing days to 40.

"The problem is that teams always spend everything they gain," Ecclestone explained, in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. "F1 must reduce costs, in the sense that the huge wasting must be reduced. Teams that take 45 tonnes of freight to Grands Prix, when 20 would be enough. Teams that take 100 people to private testing. Crazy stuff.

"Maybe the drivers' salaries could be reduced, like - I don't know - 13-14 million less for Schumacher... Unfortunately I don't think the issue can be resolved through regulations. The market will decide, maybe with the end of tobacco sponsorship."

Nevertheless, Ecclestone maintained that the majority of the teams are financially stable and competitive. "We have seven teams, which is a more than satisfying number, and I think all of them will get to the end of the season.

"But Jordan and Minardi have been going around begging with a hat for too long. [They would be better off selling] if they can't get out of their current situation. They should look closely at themselves: Frank Williams, years ago, was in much bigger trouble than Jordan, but he was able to pull himself up to the highest success. Why can't Jordan do that?"

Ecclestone also dismissed the Jaguar team, stating: "Honestly I thought they would have left after the last Championship. How long more can Ford go on this way? They have made a big cut in costs, no wonder they hired a driver with money."

He also responded to accusations that the FIA favours Ferrari, with other drivers getting more severely penalised last year than World Champion Michael Schumacher.

"That is life, gentlemen," Ecclestone exclaimed. "If the police stops a famous millionaire, I don't think they'd treat him as if they stopped a tramp. Referees always handle Manchester United with kid gloves."