Ecclestone planning new series for former F1 cars and drivers

  • Published on 17 Apr 2014 12:48
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Bernie Ecclestone is planning to launch a 'masters' series for former F1 cars and drivers. With drivers like Nigel Mansell, Emerson Fittipaldi and Riccardo Patrese at the wheel, 'GP Masters' was launched in 2005 but it folded after only 2 races.

Now, business journalist Christian Sylt reports that F1 chief executive Ecclestone is planning his own series, to be called 'Historic Formula One'. Forbes quoted Gerhard Berger as saying: "I am sure that it will be successful and that all former drivers would like to participate." Martin Brundle said he would like to take part, "especially if it was supporting the F1 calendar".

Sylt said Ecclestone, who has been highly critical of the new turbo V6 era in F1, plans to have the masters cars powered by deafening V10 engines. "We have talked about it and it is something we ought to do," Ecclestone told the Wall Street Journal. "Many of these old drivers are still absolutely good enough."

Ecclestone said that, unlike the defunct single-make GP Masters series, his idea would be to form a grid of real F1 cars. Brundle said: "To attract the household names of decades past I suspect the cars would need to be safer and less physical to drive." 1996 world champion Damon Hill agreed: "I think most old drivers want to get home to bed early with a good book." (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar