1
Bernie Ecclestone says he is struggling to sell a "crap product" to the public in the new era of formula one. The F1 supremo has said consistently that the 'power unit' regulations are a major reason for the decline in popularity of the sport he has ruled for decades. "I was talking to some engineers the other day and I told them that I was always pretty good at selling used cars, and I still am," Ecclestone, 84, is quoted in an interview published in French by the AFP news agency. "But I told them they have given me a crap product to sell," he insisted.
F1 legend Alain Prost said recently that the sport's biggest problem is that the overly complex rules of today were designed by those very same engineers. "Absolutely. 100 per cent," Ecclestone agreed. "If I was running a team, I would not let one of my staff tell me how I should do it."
The problem, however, is that Ecclestone is no longer the benevolent 'dictator', and F1 rules are devised in consultation and agreement with the teams. "The problem is they (the teams) don't know what they want," Ecclestone insisted. "They don't have a clue. It's good for them to have dreams, to have their meetings, but if they have ideas, they have to implement them. "They talk about customer cars, but when you come to the question of how to do it, there is a problem. So it will never happen," he said.
As far as Ecclestone is concerned, however, the issue of 'selling' F1 to the public is simple. "All people want is to be entertained," he said. "We are, first and foremost, an entertainment company. But today, when Lewis (Hamilton) starts a race, we already know he will win by 20 seconds."
Finally, Ecclestone played down the risk of an investigation into the governance of formula one, insisting: "I still have not heard from the European Union." He says the smallest teams should run their teams better rather than 'complain'. "I had a team for 18 years," said the Briton. "I financed it myself and I didn't expect someone else to give me money. Those guys (the small teams) would be in the same situation they are now in formula one if they were doing anything else. They are not able to manage their companies," Ecclestone charged. (GMM)
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
United Arab Emirates
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
Replies (1)
Login to replydenis1304
Posts: 284
Please stop posting Bernie Ecclestone news.... it's pi$$es me off when this idiot opens his mouth