Formula One news

Ecclestone: McLaren was close to being excluded

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has admitted McLaren was extremely close of being thrown out of the Formula 1 world championship of this and next season. Instead the Woking based team received a fine of 100 million dollar and lost their constructors' championship points.

Ecclestone told the BBC: "It came very close to McLaren being thrown out, it really was a genuine possibility. A few of us sort of battled on and campaigned for the fine instead.

"The alternative to the fine was worse, being excluded from the championship for two years. It was much closer than everybody says it was. It really would have been bad news. McLaren would have lost more than they have been fined, if they'd have been able to keep going."

Ecclestone believes Formula 1 is more open now than ever before, but warns teams they will be closely watched. "Formula One is now more open than it has ever been because the threat is definitely there now if any team is helping anyone else," said Ecclestone. "Even if it is a smaller team than McLaren, they're gone, without any hesitation."

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