Lauda 'understands' Ecclestone's criticism of F1's direction

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Niki Lauda has said that he can understand the stream of criticism from former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone about the current trajectory of the sport.

"Sure he is not pleased with how Formula 1 is developing," Lauda told Austrian broadcaster ORF this week. "But in my view completely understandably.

"While we're debating budget caps, we're tormenting people instead of giving them decent races!"

However Lauda rejected talk that Ecclestone might be plotting to set up a rival motorsports series, possibly in league with Ferrari who are equally at odds with the new management.

"There is no breakaway programme. There's no idea of it at all," said the three-time world champion. "First of all, it's too far away.

"For now it's important to get on terms with Liberty Media so that we can all continue to be here in a reasonable way."

Lauda should know, as he's one of the few leading figures in today's Formula 1 scene to keep in regular contact with the former supremo.

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"I often meet with Bernie in Ibiza," he said. "I also saw him over Easter and I was glad that he came to Bahrain."

In public, Ecclestone has taken issue with all manner of decisions made by his successors in charge of F1. Among the topics he's covered have been the removal of grid girls and the future of engine regulations.

The 87-year-old was ousted by the sport's new owners Liberty Media at the start of 2017. He was handed the honorary post of chairman emeritus but has said that in practice this means very little.

Ecclestone was particularly unhappy to be shunted ot he sidelines last weekend when he attended the Bahrain Grand Prix.

"Last year I had an office in the race control tower," Ecclestone told Auto Motor und Sport. "Now they've dumped me in the VIP tower outside the paddock.

"I think Liberty wants to make life difficult for me," he added.

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.