Flavio Briatore vented his frustration and disappointment with F1 on Italian radio earlier this week, underlining the lessening importance of drivers and the complexity of current regulations.
Speaking to broadcaster Rai, Briatore, who guided Benetton and Renault to World Championship titles, admits to have become an occasional viewer of Formula 1 as the sport's excitement has dwindled away.
"I watched Bahrain for ten minutes and then went and did something else. They spend 300 million euros but then restrict their drivers in the races!"
The 65-year-old Italian deplored the incredible rise to prominence of technology and engineering in modern F1, both of which now surpass in importance anything a driver has to offer because of the restrictions imposed on the latter.
"Drivers should be able to do 60 qualifying laps on Sundays rather than worry about saving fuel and tyres. In F1, there is now a lot of technology but people have noticed there is no longer real racing."
The former Renault team principal also believes that Mercedes current outright dominance is in nobody's best interests. "Mercedes does not want to show excessive power, otherwise the rules will be changed, so It is not in their interest to win so easily."
Finally, not surprisingly, Briatore defended his close friend and ally Bernie Ecclestone, arguing that Bernie was still very much the man for the job when it comes to extricating F1 from it's crisis.
"He has the strength to remake F1, but he should have more support from CVC and the FIA. After he goes, there will be no one like him again. If CVC stays, it will appoint a chief executive, perhaps an American, and F1 will be controlled by a board. This would not be good, as it is better to have a good little dictator making the rules."
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