Liberty Media has wrapped up its first year at the helm of F1, but Bernie Ecclestone says the sport has gone nowhere under its new owner's management.

As it steers Formula 1 towards what it hopes will be a prosperous future, Liberty continues to work with the teams and all interested parties to define the sport's 2021 regulation platform.

Ecclestone is unimpressed however with Liberty's results to date as well as with its consultative approach, reiterating his belief that dictatorship in F1 remains the most efficient form of management.

"Democracy has no place in Formula 1," the 87-year-old told veteran F1 reporter Roger Benoit who visited Ecclestone on his ranch in Brazil.

"The new owners will soon realise this, because so far they have achieved nothing!"

While he was at it, Ecclestone also took a swipe at Ferrari, mocking the House of Maranello's threats to pull out of Grand Prix racing if the sport's future rules did not cater to its interests.

"The old game," Ecclestone said.

"If they don't win, there is usually panic. Max Mosley and I could write a long list of all the times we helped Ferrari, but they always deny it."

As he reminisced about the past, Ecclestone also gave his two cents on the greatest driver of all time.

"For me, Alain Prost was the best driver ever. With luck, he would have six world titles. "

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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