Bernie Ecclestone says Sebastian Vettel needs to win the title next year because Mercedes' dominance of Formula One "is not good for the sport".
Mercedes has been the dominant force since the new power unit regulations were introduced in 2014, with Lewis Hamilton taking back-to-back drivers' championships and the team winning the constructors' titles. With both championships secured with three races still to run this season, Ecclestone says the level of performance is damaging for F1.
"It is not good for the sport," Ecclestone told Die Welt. "It makes it boring. The dominance of Mercedes is so great that many people only view the start of a Grand Prix, and then turn off the television because Mercedes makes the racing boring."
And Ecclestone believes it is crucial Ferrari's recovery continues in to 2016 due to its importance to the sport.
"Ferrari happens to be Formula 1, and Formula 1 is Ferrari. This is a marriage that has been around a long time, which was always renewed and must continue."
Asked if Vettel needs to bring an end to Mercedes' run next season with Ferrari, Ecclestone replied: "I hope so."
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