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Max Mosley: Liberty should have kept Bernie on!

Former FIA president Max Mosley was perhaps the sole voice we hadn't yet heard from among F1 notables on the subject of Bernie Ecclestone's demise.

A close friend of Ecclestone, and indeed a comrade-in-arms of the former F1 supremo, the pair yielding huge power over the sport for over two decades.

Speaking to ITV News at last night's ZOOM Photo Auction gala in London, Mosley questioned Liberty media' decision to oust his good friend and former ally.

"I think it may be quite difficult (for Liberty Media)," Mosley said.

"I think what he (Ecclestone) was brilliant at was dealing with the promoters and the organisers and the whole structure of the championship.

"For somebody new to come in without all the personal relationships it may be difficult."

Mosley insisted that in his view Ecclestone could have still been useful on the F1 front.

"If it had been me I’d have kept him on doing the things that he’s demonstrably very good at and concentrated my efforts on doing the things that up to now have not been done, like interactive television, virtual reality, social media, the internet and all the rest of it.

"All of that’s been slightly neglected in Formula 1 and that’s the sort of thing that Liberty will probably be very good at."

Asked about Ecclestone's legacy, the former FIA president offered a simple reply.

"In a way Formula 1 is his legacy," he said.

"People tend to forget that probably the potential in the World Rally Championship is, and always has been, greater than Formula 1.

"Arguably also long distance racing like Le Mans. But Bernie came into Formula 1, and it was big when he came in, and he’s made it so much bigger.

"When I was FIA president I kept thinking why can’t we have another Bernie to do the rallies, to do the long distance and there just wasn’t one.

"All of those different aspects of the sport could be built into just as big a business as Formula 1."

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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.