Ecclestone on competition from Formula E: "I would've buried it"

The future of Formula 1 has been uncertain for a long time. Globally, politics is putting more and more pressure on car manufacturers to produce sustainable cars and their involvement in Formula E is a reflection of that. The racing class slowly sawing the legs of F1. Bernie Ecclestone claims to have nipped this threat in the bud if he was still in control.

In the internet age, people seem to have an increasingly shorter focus. In an interview with Autocar, Ecclestone is asked how Formula 1 can take this into account and what it has to do to remain relevant in the present time.

Formula 1 does not have to adapt

It's a question that doesn't sit well with the 89-year-old Brit. According to him Formula 1 has been a success for more than 50 years and he sees no reason to change that. At the same time he complains about the rise of electric cars.

"It seems that the so-called younger generation aren’t interested in cars any more in general. I suppose in a few years time there won’t be anything to get excited about with a car. If it’s an electric car for everyone, it’ll be the same."

Ecclestone would've buried Formula E

He is therefore not a fan of Formula E, which is becoming increasingly relevant due to the many manufacturers now involved. Ecclestone says that he had done everything possible to eliminate that competitor at the earliest possible stage.

"I feel sorry for the guys running F1 now, as they have to consider the impact of Formula E. I would have buried it. It would have saved all the arguments. It wouldn’t have happened if I had been there."

Back to loud engines

However, the reality now is that Formula E will not disappear soon. For Formula 1 it is therefore important to remain relevant. According to Bernie it is important not to go in the same direction, but to go back to the tried and tested Formula. The fact that this technology might not be relevant in the future doesn't matter to him.

"We need to make sure that F1 remains an entertainment package. I’d go back to normally aspirated engines that make a bit of a noise and look exciting. What gets people excited: how much fuel an engine uses or how much power it produces? Today, the level of engineering is superb, but is it good for entertainment? I don’t think so."