Bernie Ecclestone says having a new world champion in the shape of Nico Rosberg would be "very important" for Formula One.
Rosberg can win his first world title this weekend if he takes victory in the Mexican Grand Prix and team-mate Lewis Hamilton fails to finish. With Ecclestone having previously said "there is nothing to write about" Rosberg in comparison with Hamilton, he now insists there would be a positive aspect to having a new world champion on the grid.
“I get into a lot of trouble because when people say ‘Who is the best world champion?’ I always say Lewis because he travels the world and he meets all different people, gets on TV everywhere; he’s super for Formula One,” Ecclestone told Sky Italia. “Would it be good to have him as world champion again? Too right, that’s a definite.
“But on the other side, with Nico, he’s a new world champion, so we’ve got another world champion in Formula One, which is also very, very important. And he seems to be growing out of his old self and he’s outward now, a lot better. So I’m very happy with him.”
Rosberg revealed he spoke to Ecclestone about his negative comments following the United States Grand Prix weekend. When asked if he has a favourite between the two Mercedes to win the title, Ecclestone replied: “No, not at all.”
Chris Medland's 2016 Mexican Grand Prix preview
Scene at the United States Grand Prix
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