Bernie Ecclestone has admitted he is hoping Sebastian Vettel’s rivals break the world champion’s run of dominance this season.<\/p>\n
The F1 chief executive is an avowed fan and friend of the 24-year-old Red Bull driver, but for the sake of the sport he wants the German to be chased down in 2012 after two consecutive successful championship campaigns.<\/p>\n
Asked by Austria’s Salzburger Nachrichten at the Kitzuhel skiing event if Vettel will dominate this season, the 81-year-old laughed: “I hope not!<\/p>\n
“Of course, Red Bull are still going to be there.\u00a0 I would much prefer a fight for the world title right to the end of the season.”<\/p>\n
But if Vettel does dominate again, Ecclestone said the most important thing is that the individual races are exciting.<\/p>\n
“The TV viewers care more about the tension of the race than the championship,” he insisted.<\/p>\n
It is very possible that Red Bull designer Adrian Newey has penned yet another field-beater, so in that case Ecclestone will be cheering for Vettel’s teammate, Australian Mark Webber.<\/p>\n
“I don’t want Red Bull to dominate in the same way but I fear that’s what will happen.\u00a0 That’s why I put my hopes on Mark Webber’s shoulders.<\/p>\n
“This year we will see a situation where he can show his talent much more,” said the Briton.<\/p>\n
Ecclestone is also crossing his fingers for Red Bull’s rival teams.<\/p>\n
“I would be surprised if Mercedes don’t win a race this year.\u00a0 As for Ferrari, I can only hope they improve significantly.<\/p>\n
“Alonso is super-talented and deserves a perfect car,” he said.<\/p>\n
And as for the occupant of the other Ferrari, 1964 world champion John Surtees said the pressure is on the team’s Brazilian “weak link” Felipe Massa.<\/p>\n
“He’ll either have to perform consistently well, or make way,” he told the Sun.<\/p>\n
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