The former Formula 1 boss recently expressed his frustration at the sanctions imposed on drivers for their actions on track, calling them “crazy”.
In an interview given to the RTBF At the recent Brazilian Grand Prix, Bernie Ecclestone criticized the harshness of current regulations, which he says are dampening the competitive spirit of Formula 1.
Observing the race in Mexico, where Max Verstappen received two ten-second penalties, Ecclestone considered these sanctions excessive. He believes that modern F1 has become “too clean” et “too methodical”which he believes takes away an essential part of the adrenaline that once characterized the sport.
“We could summarize the current rules in a single sentence: don't fight or you'll find yourself in trouble.” he laments.
A request for clarification from pilots and experts
Ecclestone's criticism aligns with that of many F1 observers, commentators and drivers, who believe the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) should clarify its sanctioning guidelines. The latter point to the lack of consistency in the application of penalties, which makes it difficult for drivers to know how far they can go without risking sanctions.
Several pilots have spoken out recently to ask for clearer guidelines. They want to know what is really allowed on the track and what is not, in order to regain a certain freedom of action without fearing heavy penalties for incidents deemed minor.
Ecclestone also raised an important question: if heavy penalties are imposed for small incidents, how will the FIA react to more serious infractions?
“If you give this sanction for that, what are you going to do if something more serious happens?”
he asks himself.
Ecclestone criticizes evolution of modern F1
Since leaving F1 in 2017, following the takeover by Liberty Media, Ecclestone has continued to point out several aspects of the sport which he believes have distorted the essence of the competition. Although he recognizes that the world is changing and that F1 is no exception, he believes that certain decisions harm the very spirit of the race.
Asked how he sees the evolution of F1 compared to when he was at the helm, Ecclestone replied: “I'm not saying the current leadership is doing a bad job, they just haven't looked hard enough at the things that need to be gotten rid of and changed.”
F1, a changing sport
The evolution of F1 under Liberty Media has opened the sport to a wider audience and energized the fan experience, but this transformation is not unanimous. For figures like Bernie Ecclestone, today's F1 seems to be moving away from its roots of competitiveness and risk-taking.
At the heart of this debate, the question remains: should we continue on this path to ensure a more secure and organized race, or give more freedom to drivers, even if it means accepting more risks?
