Post by schumi on May 4, 2009 16:35:25 GMT
From PlanetF1
In the wake of Max Mosley's belligerent comments that Formula One can survive without Ferrari, Bernie Ecclestone has insisted he will not let Mosley destroy the Italian team.
Many at Ferrari are reported to believe that Mosley is intent on destroying Ferrari boss Luca Di Montezemolo, but Ecclestone insists he it won't happen on his watch.
"I won't let it happen," he told The Times.
Mosley and Di Montezemolo are currently locked in a war of words over the newly imposed budget cap, which the Italian has said is a serious threat to the sport.
Ecclestone has attempted to calm the troubled waters by coming to the defence of both men.
"The trouble with Max is he's not capable, like in the past, of wrapping things up nicely with a pink ribbon and things. He wants to put it in an old cardboard box and tie it with string," said the Briton.
"The trouble with Luca is that you shouldn't let Max ever be in a position where he can start a debate or an argument. He's reasonably clever and you won't win.
"Even if you do win, it's like you being in the audience and me being there with the microphone. You say something smart and I don't give you the microphone - it's as easy as that," he added.
The F1 supremo admitted that he is however in favour the budget caps, but suggested that the £40 million cap may be increased to £60 million for next year before being tapered off to the original figure in 2012.
"It would appear that everyone is in favour of the cap, including Ferrari, if we can get them to agree, which we can.
"However, there is concern over the amount that is referred to in the cap for some of the teams and also the two-tier system. So these are probably not monumental things to sort out," he added.
In the wake of Max Mosley's belligerent comments that Formula One can survive without Ferrari, Bernie Ecclestone has insisted he will not let Mosley destroy the Italian team.
Many at Ferrari are reported to believe that Mosley is intent on destroying Ferrari boss Luca Di Montezemolo, but Ecclestone insists he it won't happen on his watch.
"I won't let it happen," he told The Times.
Mosley and Di Montezemolo are currently locked in a war of words over the newly imposed budget cap, which the Italian has said is a serious threat to the sport.
Ecclestone has attempted to calm the troubled waters by coming to the defence of both men.
"The trouble with Max is he's not capable, like in the past, of wrapping things up nicely with a pink ribbon and things. He wants to put it in an old cardboard box and tie it with string," said the Briton.
"The trouble with Luca is that you shouldn't let Max ever be in a position where he can start a debate or an argument. He's reasonably clever and you won't win.
"Even if you do win, it's like you being in the audience and me being there with the microphone. You say something smart and I don't give you the microphone - it's as easy as that," he added.
The F1 supremo admitted that he is however in favour the budget caps, but suggested that the £40 million cap may be increased to £60 million for next year before being tapered off to the original figure in 2012.
"It would appear that everyone is in favour of the cap, including Ferrari, if we can get them to agree, which we can.
"However, there is concern over the amount that is referred to in the cap for some of the teams and also the two-tier system. So these are probably not monumental things to sort out," he added.
