F1: BMW Opposed To Two-Tier Championship; Twilight GPs Here To Stay

BMW’s Dr Mario Theissen has joined the growing chorus of discontent over the FIA’s new 2010 F1 budget regulations, revealing a two-tiered series does not interest the manufacturer.

Following the news Ferrari may consider its future in the sport; Dr Theissen said BMW would also be forced to question its investment in F1 if the plans go ahead as announced.

“A two-class Formula One is not attractive to BMW,” he told a media event in Munich.

Dr Theissen was also highly critical of the low level of next year’s £40 million cap, stating he would prefer a gradual decline over a specified period.

“In one go you cannot just evaporate by a factor of three. A moving path, for example over two or three years, would be possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone says he will not back down from demands to host twilight grands prix in Australia and Asia despite concerns from drivers.

Williams’ Nico Rosberg is an outspoken critic of twilight race schedules, telling Reuters in March the glare caused by the setting sun can compromise driver safety.

“I think twilight racing is not the way to go. In Melbourne it was obvious that it just increases the danger so much,” he said.

“The visibility is so difficult, you can’t even see the edges of the track in some corners. I was driving into the sun and that’s not what racing is about. So I really hope they reconsider that.”

Ecclestone however remains determined to start the Australian and Malaysian events in the late afternoon, citing increased television viewing figures.

"All our TV up to now has been up 300 percent," he said. "We have been getting more than 50 percent of the market share."