“Super GP2” single-seaters to boost the F1 grid?
Bernie Ecclestone spoke with several teams to address the financial difficulties of the various teams. One idea that emerged was the introduction of "Super GP2" single-seaters, but on this subject, Monisha Kaltenborn and Bob Fernley have different opinions.
Due to the financial problems faced by Caterham and Marussia last weekend during the Brazilian Grand Prix, Bernie Ecclestone spoke with the teams present in the paddock.
In order to increase the number of single-seaters on the starting grid of the Formula 1 championship, in the event of the disappearance of certain teams, Bernie Ecclestone has suggested the idea of a two-tier F1, with constructors from current teams on one side and improved GP2 single-seaters to fill the grid.
The deputy team principal of Force India, Robert Fernley, believes that the idea could be a possibility; however, Bernie Ecclestone no longer wants small teams in F1.
There is an alternative which is the Super GP2. It would be similar to a GP2 car with an upgraded engine. The meaning is clear, there is a desire to have five constructor teams and five customer teams; this would be the best way for them [the F1 bosses] to feel good, » explains Fernley, quoted by Autosport.
On the side of the Sauber F1 team, Monisha Kaltenborn spoke on the subject, she believes that if the Super GP2 arrives in F1 it would be worrying because it would show that Bernie Ecclestone and CVC are looking for a future without the small teams: « Looking at the proposals that have been made, we have to believe that there is an agenda. The agenda seems to be that people are looking to have 4 or 5 teams on the grid, when ideas are offered to us of a one-year-old chassis or different engines or whatever or even a different championship, there is certainly an agenda [behind that]. And since no one reacts, we don’t know what it is. »
« The more ideas are proposed, the more we three [Force India, Lotus and Sauber] have the feeling that certain people don’t want us [in F1] and perhaps the sport is supposed to change its image, » she concludes.
