Bernie Ecclestone may no longer be the man pulling Formula 1's strings, but the former supremo still has strong opinions about the direction the sport has taken under Liberty Media.
Making one of his occasional appearances in the paddock at the Austrian Grand Prix, the 95-year-old reflected on everything from the expanding race calendar to Sprint weekends and even revealed which parts of his decades at the helm he still misses.
While Ecclestone acknowledged Formula 1's commercial growth over the last decade, he also suggested the championship has moved too far from what made a Grand Prix weekend special.
Ecclestone questions Liberty Media's expansion
Since Liberty Media acquired Formula 1's commercial rights from CVC a decade ago, the championship has transformed into a global entertainment powerhouse. The calendar has grown to a record 24 races, while Sprint weekends have become a regular feature in an effort to increase on-track action.
Ecclestone believes the new owners have largely achieved what they set out to do.
“They made things a little bit more American, which is basically what they wanted to do,” he said.
“Otherwise, they’re doing all the things that look good, which is also important and, from that point of view, it’s positive.”
Despite acknowledging F1’s commercial successes, Ecclestone was far less enthusiastic about Grand Prix racing’s ever-expanding calendar and the addition of Sprint races.
Asked whether the growing number of events had reduced the significance of a traditional Grand Prix weekend, Ecclestone answer left little room for interpretation as he argued that the packed schedule risks making individual races feel less important.
“Both things are wrong. 24 races is wrong for everyone, including the public,” he said.
“You lose a lot of people who miss a race and say ‘Oh, we’re going to see one very shortly in another couple of weeks or something.”
He was equally dismissive of Sprint weekends: “The sprint races… I’ve no idea what that’s all about.”
The part of Formula 1 Bernie still misses
Although Ecclestone stepped away from running Formula 1 after Liberty Media's takeover, he admitted there are still aspects of the role he looks back on fondly.
But rather than the racing itself, it is the business side of the sport that he misses most.
“Just thinking about it, I miss part of it,” he said. “I miss putting things together on the financial side. They’re all there.
“Did I ever stop to the end of a race? No, so whether that’s good or bad, I don’t know. I’ve done my job.”
Ecclestone also indicated that Formula 1's decision to move toward a revised engine formula is the correct path for the championship, suggesting the sport continues to evolve even if he does not agree with every change introduced since his departure.
Whether discussing the commercial growth achieved under Liberty Media or questioning the increasing number of races and Sprint events, Ecclestone's latest remarks offered a reminder that one of Formula 1's most influential figures remains as candid as ever about the sport he helped build.
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