Bernie Ecclestone says there is a real possibility that there could be eight three-car teams in F1 next season.

Former Williams CEO Adam Parr tweeted such a claim following the Italian Grand Prix, but McLaren racing director Eric Boullier played down the comment. However, speaking in Singapore Ecclestone said there was a serious chance such a move would happen, with fewer teams in the sport running more cars.

"It's always been on the cards that if we lose up to three teams then the other teams will run three cars," Ecclestone said. "I think we should do it anyway. I would rather see Ferrari with three cars, or any of the other top teams with three cars than having teams that are struggling."



When asked if 2015 was too soon, Ecclestone replied: "We'll know after the next two or three races."

Insisting that it would not be a move to customer cars but just an expansion of some of the existing teams, Ecclestone also said F1 can't always work to try and help teams in financial trouble.

"I've been around - most people say too long - but long enough to know there are always people at the back of the grid."