Ecclestone: Ferrari resurgence ‘very important’ for F1

Bernie Ecclestone says Ferrari’s recovery and return to the sharp end of the field is “very important for me and all of Formula One”.

Coming off its worst campaign in over two decades, the revered Italian squad entered 2015 with modest ambitions but has emerged as Mercedes’ new closest rivals. Riding on the back of a rejuvenated Sebastian Vettel, the Scuderia has won three races and claimed another 12 podium finishes ahead of this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Asked by Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport to name the best aspects of the current season, the F1 commercial rights boss replied:

“It can be summarised in one word: Ferrari. Their return to victory is very important for me and all of Formula One. It was expected. The surprise came from how quickly they got back to the top.

Ecclestone is all the more pleased that the 85-year-old supremo encouraged Vettel to leave Red Bull for Maranello.

“I backed his switch to Ferrari so when I saw him take the chequered flag in Sepang that was fantastic!”

Unfinished business: the scores still to be settled in Abu Dhabi

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