Ecclestone says Haas set for F1 in 2015

Apr.3 (GMM) Gene Haas looks set to take his place on the pitwall as F1's newest team owner in 2015.

Having earlier played down the Nascar team co-owner's chances of securing the twelfth team entry, Bernie Ecclestone said this week: "I think Haas will be accepted.

"They have got the money but it's a question of whether they are going to spend it," the Independent newspaper quotes him as having told F1 business journalist Christian Sylt.

It is believed the FIA recently delayed a decision over Haas' 2015 application pending F1s chief executive Ecclestone's 'ok'.

Money seems to have been the 83-year-old Briton's main concern.

"A billion would last a new team owner four years," Ecclestone said. "I've spoken to Haas but I don't know what they are going to do. It's America, so I don't know."

He also didn't rule out the possibility more teams could soon be following Haas into F1.

"Every year we or the FIA have approaches from new teams," he said.