Ecclestone no longer attending races
- Published on 04 Jan 2018 11:25
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Bernie Ecclestone says he may no longer attend Grands Prix. The former F1 supremo began his first year as nominal 'chairman emeritus' in 2017 whilst still attending some races.
But towards the end of the year, Ecclestone was conspicuously absent, and he now tells Auto Motor und Sport: "I have the feeling that my successors do not want to see me at the track anymore."
In his annual Christmas card, the 87-year-old poked fun at his successor Chase Carey, but he denies he is "bitter" about the new Liberty Media era: "On the contrary. I'm proud of Formula 1and I want it to be good," he said.
He applauded the fact that newly-released figures show that TV and spectator figures rose in 2017: "The Ferrari against Mercedes duel mobilised the fans," he said. "I actually apologised to the promoters, because they paid for the old formula one and all they got was Mercedes winning. Now, they're getting value for money again."
Asked why he thinks Ferrari is suddenly more competitive, the Briton answered: "They were smart enough to look at the other teams and bring on board good people: "Mercedes supplies three teams. Whoever does what Mercedes is doing is successful," Ecclestone added.
As for Liberty Media, he admits he doesn't like that the American company is heavily investing in F1 marketing: "It is important that the teams market themselves, and that the promoters promote their event," he said. "If FOM competes as a third party, that's only confusing."
Ecclestone also sided with F1 manufacturers who are railing against Liberty Media's proposed engine changes for 2021: "I would have scrapped this (current) engine. It was a disaster from the date on which it was introduced. But two years ago I told the teams they could keep the damn engine if they increase the fuel flow and the fuel load," he said.
Finally, Ecclestone warned Liberty to take Ferrari's threat to quit F1 after 2020 seriously: "You didn't have to take Luca di Montezemolo seriously, because motorsport was his life," he said.
"But Sergio (Marchionne) can live without F1. He is only interested in the business. If Marchionne doesn't like what he sees, he will stop. I'm afraid that Ferrari can live without formula one, but not vice versa," Ecclestone concluded.
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Replies (10)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
I find it a bit sad. Liberty dont have a right to block him out
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
"I'm afraid that Ferrari can live without formula one, but not vice versa," I disagree. The two cannot live without one another. Ferrari is very dependant on F1 for marketing. Without an F1 presence, Ferrari would sooner or later begin to fade.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I totally agree. Ferrari can be mostly replaced if we get multiple great brands to join like Porsche, Aston Martin, and Lamborghini. If the show improves significantly, I don't think Ferrari would be greatly missed for too long. Furthermore, they would be forced to come back in shame. It wouldn't be the first great team to leave the sport.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
It can, but it wont be the same. Ferrari has a unique status in F1, and Im pretty sure many would stop watching F1 if they left. They need one another.
denis1304
Posts: 284
he will be able to attend as promoter for Brazil and French race lol
Pauli
Posts: 140
Didn't Ferrari quitting threat include undertone that they will setup competitive series? It more like sounded that Ferrari needs top level racing. But if they feel that F1 doesn't offer it then Ferrari will find the racing from somewhere else.
Barron
Posts: 625
He was a clever old bugger though...
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
First of all, I'm delighted that Bernie is out of the picture. Secondly regarding Ferrari, clearly it would be a blow to the F1 brand if Ferrari left F1, but I think that F1 could definitely survive, especially if managed to add other great brands like Lamborghini, Porsche, or Aston Martin. Ferrari on the other hand would be permanently damaged without Formula 1. They myth of Ferrari is largely that they are a racing team that happens to make road cars, not the other way around. I hated Luca di Montezemolo's arrogance and bravado, but he really personified the Ferrari brand. Sergio Marchionne is just a typical executive focused on making money for shareholders, especially now that Ferrari went public in the US.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
It woul survive, but in what shape? But I agree that Ferrari has become too much of a business, and I dont think it'll end well for them. It certainly hasnt gotten too well for EA games since they "businessed" things up.
Harryw
Posts: 107
Agree 100%. F1 would survive. Fans want good racing and fast cars. Both would exist without them.