Ecclestone searching new markets to expand F1

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Many, many years later the Formula One circus seems to be following a similar mantra, except that instead of going west, they are going east.

Ten years ago, Formula One was a predominantly European affair, with 11 of the 17-season races being held on the continent.

But those were also still the days when tobacco advertising was not an issue in Europe and teams still had names like: Mild Seven Benetton, Lucky Strike BAR Honda or B&H Jordan Honda.

With the writing on the wall that tobacco advertising would be prohibited Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone realized that he would need to look elsewhere - not only to expand, but also to replace European races that would fall by the wayside.

In 2004 the Formula One season was expanded to introduce races in Bahrain and China, four years later Singapore was included for the first time and in 2009 the first-ever race was held in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
Last year a South Korean race was held and this year the Grand Prix will be making a stop-over in India for the first time and a planned race in Bahrain was only cancelled when it became apparent that unrest in the country in the Gulf region made hosting impossible.

It could well be that the race is held later this year, though.

The 80-year-old Ecclestone has been outspoken in his reasons for taking the sport to the east, telling the BBC: 'I've always believed we should go east.

'Twenty years ago when we started I thought that was where the world was going to go, and Europe's not what it was in any shape or form.

'I don't know how long I'm going to live but I think it will more or less disappear as the current force before too long. I don't think Europe can afford many things.'

Ecclestone's expansion plans have not been without their detractors and his statements that some of the so-called traditional circuits like Monza, Silverstone and Spa are threatened, have been criticised.

Some Formula One fans have accused him of forsaking traditional European race tracks for government-subsidized courses in countries in the East which lack a motor racing heritage.

However, as long as sponsors and television channels are prepared to pour millions into the sport, it seems likely that Ecclestone will continue expanding as he sees fit - which could be good news for the East, but not so good for Europe.