Ecclestone backs Mercedes for 2014 title, Force India a ‘dark horse’
6 Feb 2014 6:54 AM IST
The new regulations make the season unpredictable and the F1 czar sees the Mercedes-Nico Rosberg combination best prepared to win the title.
Reigning champions Red Bull struggled at the opening pre-season test at Jerez last week, clocking only 21 laps over four days owing to overheating and power unit issues.
Rivals Mercedes, on the other hand, racked up 309 laps through Lewis Hamilton and Rosberg with Mercedes-powered cars (Force India, McLaren and Williams) recording 875 laps in total. “Anything can happen under the new regulations. So I would not want to comment much on what could happen this season.
The way things worked out at Jerez, Mercedes seem best prepared to succeed with Rosberg winning the title,” Ecclestone said.The 83-year-old last week described the Jerez test as a “farce”, largely because of the teams’ travails in adjusting to the new power units. The 1.6 litre turbo engine is more efficient than its predecessor but doesn’t produce the roaring sound of the V8s.
Marquez unstoppable at Sepang test
SEPANG: World champion Marc Marquez posted the fastest time and emerged as the first rider this week to break through the two-minute barrier on day two Wednesday of the test session in Malaysia.
The rider who was quickest on Tuesday, finished ahead of compatriot Dani Pedrosa, with Stefan Bradl third at the Sepang circuit. Lorenzo - a two-time MotoGP champion lost to Marquez last year.
Reigning champions Red Bull struggled at the opening pre-season test at Jerez last week, clocking only 21 laps over four days owing to overheating and power unit issues.
Rivals Mercedes, on the other hand, racked up 309 laps through Lewis Hamilton and Rosberg with Mercedes-powered cars (Force India, McLaren and Williams) recording 875 laps in total. “Anything can happen under the new regulations. So I would not want to comment much on what could happen this season.
The way things worked out at Jerez, Mercedes seem best prepared to succeed with Rosberg winning the title,” Ecclestone said.The 83-year-old last week described the Jerez test as a “farce”, largely because of the teams’ travails in adjusting to the new power units. The 1.6 litre turbo engine is more efficient than its predecessor but doesn’t produce the roaring sound of the V8s.
Marquez unstoppable at Sepang test
SEPANG: World champion Marc Marquez posted the fastest time and emerged as the first rider this week to break through the two-minute barrier on day two Wednesday of the test session in Malaysia.
The rider who was quickest on Tuesday, finished ahead of compatriot Dani Pedrosa, with Stefan Bradl third at the Sepang circuit. Lorenzo - a two-time MotoGP champion lost to Marquez last year.
Next Story
