Vettel era near its end - Ecclestone

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 25: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Red Bull Racing celebrates in his changing room with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone as he finishes in sixth position and clinches the drivers world championship during the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 25, 2012 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 25: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Red Bull Racing celebrates in his changing room with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone as he finishes in sixth position and clinches the drivers world championship during the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 25, 2012 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Published Sep 25, 2013

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Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has predicted that triple world champion Sebastian Vettel's dominance of the sport will soon be over.

Speaking to Bild newspaper, Ecclestone said this season's runaway championship leader could even be knocked off his perch as early as next year.

“His domination will end, maybe in 2014. We're going to have completely new cars, new engines, new rules,” said Ecclestone.

“That will be the chance for Ferrari and Mercedes to catch up with Vettel.”

“Next year it might not be the best driver but the best car that wins the title.”

Ecclestone said he believed the jeers that have met Vettel's recent race wins in Italy and Singapore were not due to him as a person, but due to his dominance.

Vettel has won the past three Grand Prix and seven in total this season, more than half the races, and leads Fernando Alonso by 60 points in the standings, with third-placed Lewis Hamilton another 36 points down.

Ecclestone said: “He doesn't give Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton a chance, he's as dominant as Ayrton Senna or Michael Schumacher in certain periods.” - AFP

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