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Karthikeyan unsure about post-Ecclestone F1 era
Narain Karthikeyan says he is not certain on how Formula 1 will thrive in the post-Bernie Ecclestone era, under the new management of Liberty Media.
Darshan Chokhani Rachit Thukral
Edited: Feb 9, 2017, 12:17 PM
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India's first F1 driver is sceptical of Liberty Media’s decision to oust long-time CEO Ecclestone, but is hoping that the new owners can bring the sport back to its glory days.
"Bernie was doing a good job. There is no doubt that he built the sport to what it is. To take out the ringleader as they say.. I don't know. I'm not sure," said Karthikeyan to Motorsport.com.
"People are expecting the things to be done in an American way. F1 is not American, it’s very European. I’m sure they are going to experiment on things. I’m just afraid without Bernie how it works."
The Indian, who last raced in F1 in 2012 when Ecclestone was at the helm, thinks that, should Liberty Media go the American way, the 'niche' which the sport enjoys, will be gone.
"F1 is not accessible [to everyone] and that creates a value. If they like to create like an American sport, then that niche is gone," he said.
"Bringing the fans closer is okay, but F1 has always been on top of everyone’s [mind]. To go and watch an F1 race there was a lot of excitement.
"Hopefully they will try and look at those aspects and bring it back and make the cars a little more fun to watch and listen to.
"And [also] bring that electric atmosphere like it was until 2006-10 when the V10s were there. F1 is something people should aspire to.
"If everyone has things easily available, then...the aura goes away. What’s the difference between F1 and GP2?"
The outgoing CEO has been replaced with a three-member team with Chase Carey taking over as Chairman and CEO.
He is being aided by Ross Brawn in a newly created role of Managing Director of Motor Sports and Sean Bratches is the Managing Director for Commercial Operations.
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