Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsFormula 1

We are in show business - Ecclestone

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Bernie Ecclestone believes Formula 1's appeal and excitement has dissipated with Mercedes current domination and wants to 'rip up the rulebook' and start from scratch.

Formula 1's supremo acknowledged that while F1 has seen overwhelming domination form drivers in its recent past, such as Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, he still feels that it is detrimental to the sport that Lewis Hamilton is in a position to wrap uo the championship with several rounds to go.

"We are in show business," the 84-year-old said during his interview with Russian broadcaster RT .

"The minute we stop entertaining we are in trouble. Our biggest problem is that people know pretty well who is going to be world champion this year. That can't be right. When people go to watch anything, they don't want to know the result before it starts. That's the rulebook I want to tear up."

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Formula 1 should therefore put the onus on man rather than machine in order to generate uncertainty and bring the sport back to what it should be about: entertainment.

"Although Lewis is very talented, his car is so much better than anybody else's, other than the guy who is his team-mate. There might be whole bunch of people who might be as good as him and they are never going to be exposed so that people know. That's what is wrong."

Ecclestone also held himself accountable for F1's current state of affairs, admitting he had a heavy hand in how Grand Prix racing has evolved. Technical and sporting regulations should be written off and recreated he believes.

"I think a lot of our technical regulations are too stringent. It's really been like an old house and people keep adding new pieces to it and nobody really knows why we have added it -- I'm as guilty as anybody else."

"Maybe we ought to tear it up and have another look. We have become much too clinical with too many rules and regulations. I think the drivers, when the lights go out, should be on their own. They shouldn't have help and advice from the pits."

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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.