Bernie Ecclestone has promised Formula 1’s smaller teams that he will discuss their financial plight with the sport’s majority owner, CVC Capital Partners.
Lotus, Force India and Sauber have no say in how the sport is run as they’re not part of the Working Group, therefore they receive no financial bonuses unlike Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes and Williams.
With two outfits folding this season in Caterham and Marussia, the financial crisis has finally hit the headlines and Ecclestone seems ready to react after talks with the ‘small three’.
Whilst he can’t promise any help himself, he has promised to discuss the matter with CVC’s Donald MacKenzie who recently said he was willing to direct some of the sports profit to helping the cash-strapped teams.
“It is unlikely that progress will be made in such a short period of time,” said Force India co-owner Vijay Mallya following a meeting with 84-year-old Ecclestone.
“So he’s [Ecclestone] going back to London to talk to Donald and CVC. That’s what he said.
“He recognises that the three smallest teams need to get more money in one form or another,” he added. “We presented our case, he said he’d talk to Donald and get back to us.
“I’ve heard this before, but the only option is to just wait and watch.”
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