Breaking news
Formula 1
Ecclestone: “Formula 1 is the worst it’s ever been”
Bernie Ecclestone has slammed Formula 1 as predictable and has called for FIA president Jean Todt to hand over control of the sport.
David Malsher-Lopez
Edited: May 5, 2021, 4:35 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The CEO of Formula One Management told the Daily Mail: “I wouldn’t spend my money to take my family to watch a race. No way.
“What's the point when you pretty much know…that Lewis Hamilton will probably put the car on pole and more likely than not win the race, and the other Mercedes will be on the podium?”
Ecclestone went on to describe the F1 Commission as a cartel, given that the two big engine manufacturers effectively have right of veto to rule changes until 2020.
"This sort of thing is what is commonly known as a cartel," he said, "and cartels are illegal. We are running something that is illegal. On top of all that it is anti-competitive.'
Ecclestone praised FIA president Jean Todt’s efforts to improve road safety but suggested that Formula 1 has thus become merely a side issue for the former Ferrari team manager.
“Jean, unfortunately, has become a diplomat," said Ecclestone. "He is doing a very good job for road safety. But his interest in Formula 1 is purely a result of being president of the FIA…. He doesn't look to do anything that might destabilize what he really wants to do in the UN.
'He should carry on with the other stuff, but hand over responsibility for Formula 1 to someone else.”
Shaking up the F1 grid
Ecclestone suggested mixed grids as a way to create more entertaining racing.
He said: "I would keep qualifying as it is. The guy who is quickest would still have his number of poles recorded for history. But then he could start, say, 10th based on his pole and where he stands in the championship. We are looking at exactly how we could do it.
"The guy who is third fastest in qualifying would start, say seventh or eighth.
"That is better than totally reversed grids because all you get with them is the man at the back getting past the slower guys at the start of the race. This way makes it competitive between guys of similar speed. It won't be easy to get past people."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Mercedes: 2016 Technical briefing with Andy Cowell
Next article Red Bull launches RB12
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
David Malsher-Lopez
Alex Zanardi: The man whose name is a synonym for “hero”
IndyCar
IndyCar
Alex Zanardi: The man whose name is a synonym for “hero”
Remembering Michele Alboreto: F1 ace, Le Mans winner and a good man
Formula 1
Formula 1
Remembering Michele Alboreto: F1 ace, Le Mans winner and a good man
IMSA Laguna Seca: Ganassi Cadillac holds off Porsche for victory
IMSA
IMSA
Laguna Seca
IMSA Laguna Seca: Ganassi Cadillac holds off Porsche for victory
Latest news
Frankie Muniz offers new details on 2027 NASCAR plans
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Talladega
20 min
Frankie Muniz offers new details on 2027 NASCAR plans
Joan Mir remains on the sidelines as Honda forced to race with one rider in Australia
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
32 min
Joan Mir remains on the sidelines as Honda forced to race with one rider in Australia
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
1 h
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe