BERLIN: Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has predicted that triple world champion Sebastian Vettel’s dominance of the sport will soon be over.
Speaking to Bild newspaper, Ecclestone said this season’s runaway championship leader could even be knocked off his perch as early as next year.
“His domination will end, maybe in 2014. We’re going to have completely new cars, new engines, new rules,” said Ecclestone.
“That will be the chance for Ferrari and Mercedes to catch up with Vettel. Next year it might not be the best driver but the best car that wins the title.”
Ecclestone said he believed the recent jeers that have met Vettel’s last two race wins in Italy and Singapore were not due to him as a person, but due to his dominance.
The German has won the last three Grand Prix and seven in total this season, more than half the races, and leads Fernando Alonso by 60 points in the standings, with the Spaniard another 36 points clear of third-placed Lewis Hamilton.
“He doesn’t give Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton a chance, he’s as dominant as (Ayrton) Senna or (Michael) Schumacher in certain periods.”
Meanwhile, Los Angeles-based Dragon Racing will compete against IndyCar rivals Andretti Autosport in electric racing next year after being announced yesterday as the fourth team to enter the new Formula E championship.
Organisers said Dragon, owned by media and publishing entrepreneur Jay Penske whose father Roger owns the Penske Racing NASCAR and IndyCar teams, had signed up for the FIA-sanctioned series due to start next September.
Andretti Autosport, Britain’s Drayson Racing and China Racing have already announced their participation in the planned championship of 10 teams and 20 drivers racing in 10 city centres around the world.
Alejandro Agag, chief executive of Formula E holdings, said having a Los Angeles-based team was of special significance.
“California has become the ‘land of electric cars’, an example that we want to spread to the rest of the world,” said the Spaniard.
“With Dragon Racing lining up alongside fellow IndyCar giants Andretti Autosport, what’s apparent is the continued interest from the States Formula E is receiving from not only teams but also cities.”
Los Angeles and Miami are among those cities on the provisional schedule. Agag said the full list of teams would be completed by the end of November.
Formula One teams McLaren and Williams are also involved as technology partners in the consortium building the cars for the series.agencies
