Ecclestone tips BMW for F1 comeback, Toyota says no

May 20 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone thinks German carmaker BMW might follow Honda back into formula one.

Japanese manufacturer Honda announced last Thursday it will return, after a six-year absence from the sport, in 2015 to supply works V6 engines to McLaren.

One year after Honda pulled out in late 2008, BMW followed suit, citing reasons of "sustainability and environmental compatibility".

In Honda's comeback statement, president Takanobu Ito hailed the "significant environmental focus" of F1's shift from normally-aspirated V8s to ERS-boosted turbo V6s.

Now, F1 chief executive Ecclestone has told City A.M.: "I would be surprised if we don't see BMW again.

"The amount of money they spent was not significant in the grand scheme of things. It makes sense for them to return."

However, following speculation Honda's Japanese rival Toyota was the obvious next candidate to return to the grid, spokesman Dion Corbett told Bloomberg there are no such plans.