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Ecclestone expects BMW to return

ESPN Staff
May 20, 2013 « F1 board backs troubled Ecclestone | Ferrari must improve qualifying - Massa »
BMW quit Formula One at the end of 2009, selling its team back to Sauber © Sutton Images
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Bernie Ecclestone says he expects BMW to follow Honda in making a return to Formula One.

Last week Honda announced it would return to the sport in 2015 as an engine supplier to McLaren, having quit as a constructor at the end of 2008. BMW similarly pulled out of the sport altogether in 2009 but Ecclestone told City A.M. that he thinks the timing "makes sense" for BMW to a return.

"I would be surprised if we don't see BMW again," Ecclestone said. "I think they could come in. The amount of money they spent was not significant in the grand scheme of things. It makes sense for them to return."

Ecclestone also admitted defeat in trying to prevent the new 1.6-litre turbo engines coming in next season.

"The engines are fixed now like it or not. We have got what we have got so we have to keep our fingers crossed."

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