Bernie Ecclestone believes that Europe is no longer the home of Formula 1, and forecasts the number of races taking place on the continent are likely to be reduced dramatically.
At present, nine races took place in Europe in 2011, but that will be reduced to eight in 2012 with the loss of Turkey (which is actually located on the Asian side of the country).
Ecclestone sees that number dropping to just five in the not too distant future.
“I think in the next few years, Europe will be left with only five races,” Ecclestone is quoted as saying by Marca.
“I think Europe is finished. It will be a good place for tourism but little else. Europe is a thing of the past.”
Despite all 12 F1 teams being based in Europe (two thirds of them in Britain), the 81-year-old doesn’t believe Europe is the spiritual home of F1 any longer.
“It used to be,” added Ecclestone when asked.
