F1Today Editorial: Could Ecclestone be Replaced Early?

New owners Liberty Media could scrap the idea of having Bernie Ecclestone in charge for the next three years.

Three leading British Media Publications: Telegraph, Daily Mail and The Guardian are all reporting that Liberty Media's Formula 1 Executive Chase Carey has drawn up a shortlist of candidates to replace Ecclestone. According to the Telegraph, former Team Principle of Mclaren Martin Whitmarsh has emerged as an early frontrunner for the job.

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Due to the nature of the takeover from Liberty Media, Ecclestone will have 30 months where his role is safe from any threat. But, Liberty Media may want to implement their own people (Such as Whitmarsh) which could lead to interference in the running of the sport. If this happens, it could result in the Briton going way before the 30 months have elapsed. Former FIA President Max Mosley, has told the BBC that it might be a possibility, which could see his old friend jumping before he is pushed.

"These people may take a more active role and they want to sort of run the business but that could bring them into conflict with Bernie.

There has to be a succession sooner or later unless Bernie's immortal, which I don't think he is. So I guess this would be part of that process”.

Bernie Ecclestone has controlled the sport for the best part of 40 years and there is a high chance that he could fall out with the new owners. In fact, he has already made the comment that Liberty Media have only bought the sport to make money. Which could imply that the the new owners are mercenaries and are just using the business as a cash cow. With that said, statements coming from Liberty Media contradict this and actually, they have a genuine interest in the welfare of the sport. Positives which include:

Ticket Prices could have a cap of £150. So this means for any weekend ticket, it must not cost no more than 150.
Teams can buy a stake in the sport. One of their first announcements, is that their could be an opportunity for teams to buy shares. Which means they will have more influence in how the sport is run.
More European Races, which could bring back some old favourites such as the French GP, Portugal GP, Holland GP or Valencia GP. More European circuits will always go down well with fans, who have seen historic races gone in favour of new circuits in the Middle East.
The takeover is an evolution, not revolution. The new owners have said they want to quietly build on the current success in which the sport has enjoyed over the last few years, which includes having Bernie alongside.

Liberty Media have actually publicly commented on Ecclestone, saying that they want him involved in running the sport. Mosely however, is not convinced and he feels that the only way it can work is, if the person is well qualified and has a high level of intelligence. As Ecclestone tends to not get on with people who can not keep up with him, intellectually

"If Chase Carey is a person of real ability and he wants to understand and he's clever, I think he'll get along fine with Bernie. Most of the people Bernie has not been able to get on with, it's because they are not up to the level at which he operates."

The new owners are expected to make an appearance at this weekend's Grand Prix in Singapore.

Written by Harry Shovelar