Ecclestone: 'Money will always keep Mercedes at the top'

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Rule changes won't prevent Mercedes from sustaining its dominant position in Formula 1, says Bernie Ecclestone, as the Silver Arrows outfit will always be lavishly funded.

The German squad is on the verge of conquering its fifth consecutive Constructors' title, thanks to its engineering excellence since the advent of the hybrid era, while its drivers have also dominated the championship since 2014.

However, Mercedes' hegemony, while it has greatly benefitted the manufacturer, hasn't been great for the sport's state of affairs according to its former supremo.

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"Mercedes is doing a great job," Ecclestone told Swiss newspaper Handelszeitung. "But it's bad for business when the tension goes out of it because someone is dominating.

"That's why I regret that Ferrari wins the championship so rarely. We can't forget that Formula 1 is the entertainment business as well. And if it doesn't entertain, it's bad.

"We could see that when the TV numbers went down."

Grand Prix racing will undergo a few technical changes next year before a more significant transformation in 2021. Ecclestone doubts however that a new regulation format will erode Mercedes' supremacy.

"I would still bet on Mercedes," he said. "Because they have so much money at their disposal that they will always be at the top.

"Then Ferrari is an Italian company which means they're always surprising and lingering between strategies. Mercedes is very German so they're clearly aligned and optimised."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.