Ecclestone concerned about Formula E success
Bernie Ecclestone is concerned about the success of Formula E.
The former F1 supremo, ousted by Liberty Media in 2017, says he can imagine the city-focused, all-electric series resonating with people.
Asked by France's Auto Hebdo to say what he wishes for F1 in the future, 88-year-old Ecclestone said: "To be better.
"I don't want the sport to have any problems," he added.
"I recently spoke with the head of one of the teams and told him 'Be careful with Formula E'. I can see this championship winning back some of the fans from formula one.
"If the residents of large cities have nothing to do on the race day, they can buy an inexpensive ticket and take the whole family," Ecclestone said.
By the same token, Ecclestone said too many F1 fans are being turned off by the increasing complexity.
"I don't know how many of those at the grands prix understand modern formula one," he said.
"Go around in China and ask them how many cylinders the engine has or how much fuel they use. How many power units can the teams use per season. They won't know the answer to any of those questions."
Ecclestone also thinks it is possible that Mercedes will not reach an agreement with Liberty Media beyond 2020 and therefore leave the category.
"I don't know. Perhaps they will find what they need in Formula E," he said.
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Bernie was probably the main culprit for losing an already existing fan base through his greed to do deals with Sky for exclusive coverage at a premium rate putting the sport out of reach for the many people not prepared to pay the extortionate prices charged by Sky TV. Formula E fan base will increase dramatically as F1 decreases as long as it remains available on free to air TV.
The greatness of f1 has lost the appeal of a lot of fans with not having refuelling anymore. Drs has killed it for me as the overtaking and fighting for position has almost gone. And it's so expensive to go and watch f1 at tracks and getting the same to watch on sky to.