'Ferrari F1's version of The Rolling Stones', says Bernie Ecclestone
Scuderia reported to receive more prize money than any other team
Thursday 7 April 2016 17:13, UK
Bernie Ecclestone has described Ferrari as F1's version of The Rolling Stones while defending the premium paid to the Scuderia in recognition of their status as F1's oldest team.
The F1 supremo likened the Italian marque to the music group as a report was published detailing the payments set to be made to each team for their performances last season.
According to Autosport, Ferrari will receive $192m for their results in 2015 - more than any other team.
Mercedes, who beat Ferrari to last year's Constructors' Championship, collected the second-highest amount, $171m.
By contrast, Manor, who finished bottom of the standings, are understood to receive $47m.
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The F1's prize-giving model has been criticised in recent years for being disproportionate and last September was the subject of a wider complaint made by Force India and Sauber to the European Union.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 at the Bahrain GP, Ecclestone said he would not have any qualms if the near $1 billion prize pot was divided up differently in future - although suggested "Ferrari is Formula 1" and still warranted a special status.
"As far as we've concerned, this year we will pay the teams collectively close on a billion dollars," Ecclestone said.
"So it really wouldn't make any difference to us who gets that money. No difference at all.
"If it's shared equally it's alright. If it's shared in a way like Ferrari benefit a bit because they've been racing a lot longer than anybody else. And in the end, Ferrari is Formula 1, so they should be [paid more].
"If we were pop people I'd want to have The Rolling Stones because they're the number one."
Ahead of the last Concorde Agreement expiring at the end of 2012, and an aborted F1 flotation on the Singapore Stock Exchange, the teams signed bilateral commercial agreements with Ecclestone which tied them to the sport until 2020.
FIA president Jean Todt made clear in Bahrain the sport's structures, including its complex system of governance, could not be changed until the start of the next decade when those agreements expired.
Although F1's smaller teams have increasingly struggled to survive in recent years, with Caterham and HRT going to the wall, Ecclestone said "ever since I've been in Formula 1 it's been like that".
"It's a little bit difficult, but if we could change those things, for sure," he said when quizzed about revenue distribution.
