Bernie Ecclestone: Europe is finished

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has said that the future of the sport lies outside of Europe as F1 continues to spread its wings.

Ecclestone has overseen the sport's shift to the Far East with the recent introductions of grands prix in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.

The 81-year-old believes that this trend will continue, with Europe left with only five grands prix in the coming years.

"Europe is a good place for tourism and not much else. Europe is finished," he told Marca newspaper.

Sky Sports recently announced a deal under which they broadcast all Formula One grands prix from 2012.