Ecclestone helped A1GP to hurt Champ Car

Over the years Bernie Ecclestone has done everything he could to badmouth and hurt CART and now Champ Car to ensure that the American series, a cheaper alternative to F1, did not gain traction in overseas markets…….and there's no reason to believe he has stopped.

According to rumors, the recent coup by A1GP to land Ferrari as an engine and car supplier was supported by Ecclestone after he saw how successful Champ Car was in Europe in 2007, long a F1 stronghold. A deal with a company like Ferrari is just what Champ Car needs, but they have not been able to land one yet.

A1GP was on life support until the foreign "buy a ride" frenzy of the CCWS started invading the European scene and Bernie decided to provide visible support to A1GP, which has a similar business model to Champ Car.

A1GP chairman Tony Teixeira says that Bernie Ecclestone helped in the final stages of the championship's recent deal with Ferrari.

"I want to thank Bernie for the help he gave us in the final stages of the agreement," Teixeira told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"(Our relationship) is good, and he congratulated me at Monza for the deal closed with Ferrari."

"For A1GP there's nothing better than Ferrari, while as far as Ferrari is concerned, A1GP gives the company the opportunity of being present in several emerging countries," he said.

"We have already scheduled two races in China and one in Malaysia for 2007-08. Obviously we keep an eye on all the most relevant markets and we hope to announce new races soon."