F1 impresario Bernie Ecclestone has laughed at claims the new 'A1' championship is a genuine threat. The 74-year-old boss of grand prix racing told US agency Bloomberg that Sheikh Maktoum may be struggling to sell the concept to free-to-air television.

Indeed, in Sydney for the Australian launch on Wednesday, the Dubai royal admitted he was talking to a local pay-per-view broadcaster. "A1 would be on a satellite channel in the middle of the night," Bernie said from London. "It's not serious."

The Sheikh, who admitted A1 is a 'risk' that he 'hopes' will make money, denied he established the so-called 'world cup' of racing in a direct challenge to Ecclestone. "Bernie is a friend," he said in Sydney, "and, anyway, I'm not stupid enough to go against him."

Maktoum conceded that he hasn't yet signed a single television deal for A1, despite a September start date.

* From F1Racing.net

NZ is getting a team together

huh? Bernie calling A1 not serious?? Maybe he should look at his own sport at the moment. Ha.

Also good news about NZ. I hear Dixon is going to drive the car if NZ gets its act together.

I don't think A1 is trying to compete with F1, but co exist with it.

It's raced in the F1 off season. I think it will do well. Especially with the fact its countries racing.