Ecclestone: Wolff only wants to make money

Oct.27 - Bernie Ecclestone has hit out at the latest generation of F1 team chiefs, accusing them of caring most about money.

The billionaire and F1 supremo said what sets himself, Ron Dennis and Sir Frank Williams apart from the latest bosses is that the main goal wasn't to get rich.

"We all made money but it wasn't our intention," he told British journalists ahead of the Mexican grand prix.

"The trouble today is we are getting people whose intention is solely to make money. Toto Wolff is probably the best example."

Ecclestone, 85, suggested another problem is the current level of safety in F1, even though he said fewer fatalities these days is "good".

But he said what is lacking is the drama.

"When you have a big shunt like Fernando's (in Melbourne) we ought to put up big sheets around the scene, bring in the ambulance and take him away.

"A bit of showbiz. People like that," said Ecclestone.

In fact, he would love to see more crashes, and thinks there should be "walls" lining the asphalt rather than large run-off areas.

"I wanted to build 40cm walls around the corners," he said. "They keep saying drivers mustn't go off the road. I promise they won't."

So he is a big supporter of Max Verstappen, even amid the Dutchman's aggressive driving style that is causing waves among his rivals.

"When he races, people complain that he puts one finger up to his rivals, but it's good," said Ecclestone.

Also good, he insisted, is F1's new American chief Chase Carey, who he said is "not at all" interfering with how the sport is run.

"What would I say they should do? Give the teams less money and charge the promoters less so tickets are less. Then we'd get the queues at the gate again," said Ecclestone.

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