According to Blogf1.it, Trulli, owner-driver in the Formula E series, said F1's Minardi-era was different: "It's true that small teams have always been there but they were good teams.
"Take Minardi - it had young drivers but not just because they pay but because they had talent. Most of these drivers then stepped up in F1, while I doubt that any Caterham or Marussia driver will make the same leap."
END OF THE 'GOLDEN AGE'
Trulli went on to drive for Renault and Toyota.
He added: "The big mistake F1 made was to let the manufacturers go elsewhere. This marked the end of the golden age, during which I had the honour to be able to live.
"Today the situation is totally different, with a few real teams and many other small teams trying to stay alive."
International Automobile Federation president Jean Todt has confirmed that even if Marussia and Caterham did collapse, an 18-car grid was sufficient for 2015.
Speaking to Italy's Autosprint, Todt commented: "In 2016 we will have a new team so at worst we will have 18 cars in 2015 but 20 the following season."
Trulli agreed that F1 could survive for now without the struggling tail-enders: "Unfortunately, Bernie Ecclestone was right when he said that some teams are just disorganised.
"They don't give anything to Formula 1."