Ecclestone: Results point to end of Ferrari era.

F1 ringmaster, Bernie Ecclestone has predicted that Ferrari's recent era of domination could be over - at least that's the initial signs following the start of the new season, which has seen Renault win in both Australia and Malaysia.

Speaking to British newspaper The Sunday Mirror, F1's 'Mr Big' added that it would be 'marvellous' if Renault and McLaren-Mercedes 'really have caught up'.

Whether that is the case will be further established next Sunday, when Ferrari debut their new car, the F2005 and if that fails to deliver, then F1 may well have a new champion, come October, when China hosts the final race.

"Judging from the first signs I cannot see any reason why Renault shouldn't do it this year," said Ecclestone.

"I hope Renault are ready to beat Ferrari and take the title from Michael Schumacher.

"We haven't seen the full picture yet but the results point to an end to the Ferrari era.

"Ferrari was only so dominant in the past, because the other teams worked so badly - unbelievably badly. Fortunately Renault and Mercedes seem to have really caught up. It would be marvellous if they could give Ferrari a hard time now."

Ferrari has thus far scored just 10 points, while Renault leads the Constructors' championship, having managed 26.

Could Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella or Fernando Alonso take the drivers' crown then?

"It would be simply super if Fisichella could beat Michael to the title," added Mr E. "Imagine an Italian beating Ferrari!"

...Imagine someone else taking the title for a change.