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Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone said on Thursday he fears several teams may not make it onto the grid when the 2010 season starts because of the financial crisis.
The new season begins in Bahrain on March 14, but Ecclestone is not convinced all 13 registered teams, particularly the four new additions, will be ready to race.
“I can already imagine that certain teams will not be on the starting grid,” Ecclestone said, according to a report from German sports agency SID.
“They assure us the situation is not dramatic, but I am not so sure. As we all know, there is a world economic crisis and so it is very difficult for a new team to raise the necessary funds, especially if the budgets are reduced.”
Lotus, Campos, USF1 and Manor are the four new teams and both Campos and USF1 are thought to be struggling to be ready in time for Bahrain.
Ecclestone also said he is looking at ways to make Grand Prix racing more of a spectacle including adding shortcuts to the circuits in the future.
The 79-year-old Briton is looking at the idea of allowing each Formula One driver the option of using a shortcut on each Grand Prix track a maximum of five times to help make the races more appealing to television audiences.
“I have already looked at proposals to find solutions, but so far in vain,” he said.
“One simple idea is that there is a shortcut on the circuit which each driver could use five times per race.
“It would mean no-one would be wedged behind a slower car and it would be very good both for the race and television audiences.”
Ecclestone said the idea would need to be discussed with both the Formula One teams and Grand Prix organisers.
The president and CEO of Formula One Management said he is also thinking of increasing the number of points awarded to drivers who win a Formula One race from 10 to 25.
“My idea is to create a greater differential between not only first and second, but also second and third,” said Ecclestone.
“It would encourage the drivers to show more desire.”
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