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MONTE CARLO, Monaco - Bob Fernley, Force India's deputy boss, has admitted the UK-based team is in danger of being swallowed up by Formula 1's rising costs.
However, amid reports only Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes are immune to a worsening situation in the paddock, he insisted Force India was not alone.
"Everything we're doing at the moment is about increasing costs," he told The Guardian. "There is no initiative at all about reducing costs. If we don't sit down and address it very carefully we're going to lose teams."
BIG TEAM'S FAVOUR
The most obvious rising expense facing teams is an increase in engine lease fees for the new V6 era starting in 2014 but FIA entry fees are also higher and new commercial deals have tipped the scAllales even more in the big teams' favour.
"I think all teams are struggling," Fernley said. "You would be surprised by how high up they (the teams) are."
He slammed F1's owner, private equity company CVC. "I think CVC has done an absolutely awful job. In my view it is the worst thing that has ever happened to F1."
Separately, he told Reuters that CVC might be trying deliberately to put smaller teams out of business. "Are we actually trying to stack it in a way that is to get rid of teams so they can bring in customer teams?"
Indeed, Bernie Ecclestone told the Daily Express that he thought customer cars would be "a good thing". "Everybody needs to agree to that but Frank Williams is the one who is against it."
Fernley confirmed that Force India was also opposed to the idea. "There are four teams that have been given special privilege and those four teams would be the ones likely to supply the customer teams.
"Everything is now moving in the way of the four teams."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2013 Formula 1 season – fresh reports every day.
However, amid reports only Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes are immune to a worsening situation in the paddock, he insisted Force India was not alone.
"Everything we're doing at the moment is about increasing costs," he told The Guardian. "There is no initiative at all about reducing costs. If we don't sit down and address it very carefully we're going to lose teams."
BIG TEAM'S FAVOUR
The most obvious rising expense facing teams is an increase in engine lease fees for the new V6 era starting in 2014 but FIA entry fees are also higher and new commercial deals have tipped the scAllales even more in the big teams' favour.
"I think all teams are struggling," Fernley said. "You would be surprised by how high up they (the teams) are."
He slammed F1's owner, private equity company CVC. "I think CVC has done an absolutely awful job. In my view it is the worst thing that has ever happened to F1."
Separately, he told Reuters that CVC might be trying deliberately to put smaller teams out of business. "Are we actually trying to stack it in a way that is to get rid of teams so they can bring in customer teams?"
Indeed, Bernie Ecclestone told the Daily Express that he thought customer cars would be "a good thing". "Everybody needs to agree to that but Frank Williams is the one who is against it."
Fernley confirmed that Force India was also opposed to the idea. "There are four teams that have been given special privilege and those four teams would be the ones likely to supply the customer teams.
"Everything is now moving in the way of the four teams."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2013 Formula 1 season – fresh reports every day.