Bernie Ecclestone has suggested Mercedes and Ferrari will quit Formula One in the near future and cast doubt over the Singapore Grand Prix staying on the calendar beyond 2017.
Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with German publication Auto Motor und Sport, Ecclestone addressed the issue of the next Concorde Agreement, which contractually binds the top teams to the sport. Ecclestone says there are no guarantees Mercedes, the reigning world champions, and Ferrari, arguably the most iconic team in the sport, will remain when the next deal is put in place in 2020.
"It could happen to us that Mercedes and Ferrari run away," Ecclestone said. "But honestly, if the races get better, this may not be such a terrible vision.
"We have to expect the manufacturers to leave us anyway. Mercedes will retire on the day when it suits them and it's something we had before -- look at Honda, BMW and Toyota. They go when Formula One has done the job for them. There is no gratitude."
Ecclestone also used the interview to talk about future of the Singapore Grand Prix, which has a contract in place until the end of 2017. The F1 CEO does not think promoters will want to extend their contract after next year's race as they have achieved what they wanted from the event, which is now one of the most popular on the calendar.
"It is the same with the organisers. Look at what we have done for Singapore. Yes, the Grand Prix has cost Singapore a lot of money, but we've also given them a lot of money.
"Singapore was suddenly more than just an airport to fly to or from somewhere. Now they believe they have reached their goal and they do not want a grand prix anymore."