Ecclestone doens't mind drivers getting physical: "That's what people like."

Bernie Ecclestone, even at the age of 89, still has interesting statements about the state of affairs in Formula 1. For example, he is absolutely displeased with the forced apprehension of the drivers these days.

In conversation with Autocar magazine, Ecclestone discusses what he thinks needs to be done to make Formula 1 more attractive. Apart from the fact that he hates the current hybrid engines and wants to go back to engines that make a bit of noise, he also finds the way teams treat their drivers ridiculous.

"I get really upset when I see a driver walking along, and standing beside him is a young PR [public relations officer] with a microphone or something, waiting to see what he says. If the guy wants to explode and say something, let him. It’s like they have babysitters to keep them out of trouble."

Drivers who lose self-control is 'human'

The former Formula 1 boss would like drivers to take a little more risk, both on and off the track. Because this also paid off, drivers were more likely to fail in the past according to him. That a driver loses his self-control in such a case, is part of it. Ecclestone cites an example of one of his own drivers with the Brabham team.

"I want to see sportsmen over the edge. Not to the point of an accident, but proper wheel-to-wheel racing. And if it goes wrong? Remember when Nelson [Piquet] got out of the car and whacked Eliseo Salazar after they crashed into each other? The people loved it. It’s human."