Oct.28 (GMM) Ross Brawn has revealed he is worried about F1's future without Bernie Ecclestone.

As the sport's long-time 'supremo' turns 80 on Thursday, Brawn admitted he is concerned there is no "structure" in place to replace the diminutive Briton who has steered and shaped F1 for decades.

"We discuss it frequently," he told the Telegraph. "We don't have a solution.

"That is one of our fears. A succession plan for Bernie and (F1's owners) CVC is not clear and is one of the things which teams are always seeking clarity on," said Brawn.

But Max Mosley, the former long-time FIA president whose career in F1 politics began as Ecclestone's lawyer and sidekick in the 70s, is confident the sport will not implode without him.

"No, it would just be different," he said.

"When I wanted to step down from the FIA in 2004 I was told I couldn't until I had a succession plan. Bernie needs a succession plan too but, secretly, he probably has one," added Mosley.

Mosley hailed Ecclestone as a "master tactician", and another long-time colleague Sir Frank Williams is also full of praise for the wily Briton, an "unparalleled negotiator".

"What would happen if he were gone tomorrow? Well, not to devalue him in any sense, but I would hope formula one would not implode," said Williams.

"Not only has Bernie structured long-term contracts with key parties, but he has placed a robust infrastructure around formula one and helped to populate it with clever people, so a bright, creative successor would emerge, such is the way of the world," he added.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version