BBC could guarantee nothing - Bernie

Bernie Ecclestone talks to the BBC © Getty Images

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Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hit back at Liberal Democrat MP Don Forster after the government minister demanded a full explanation of how the Sky F1 television deal came about.

It was announced last month that Sky Sports will show every race of the 2012 season live with BBC agreeing to a deal which sees it retain live coverage for only half of the races on the calendar. And last week, the Lib Dem's spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport claimed there are contradictions between Ecclestone's version of events and those of Chief Adviser and Business Manager at BBC Sport Neil Land.

Ecclestone has openly praised the deal, saying it is in the best interest of the viewing public as they now have even more viewing options, contrary to Forster's view that the best move would have been for the rights to remain with a free to air broadcaster. And the F1 ringmaster criticised the actions of Forster as naive.

"It is not realistic; he clearly does not understand the situation," Ecclestons is quoted by the Sunday Express."We would have loved to have stayed with the BBC but they could guarantee nothing."

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