Q: Bernie, you’ve called Formula One racing ‘a patient’. How sick is this patient - and what diagnosis would you make? Bernie Ecclestone: Sick for a start. We have lost audience and I want to know why. There are so many options people have these days for entertainment. Before you had a handful of channels - and on one you could watch Formula One. Now people can choose from too many options - that confuses.



Q: Could it also be that Formula One racing has become too complicated for many people’s tastes? BE: Probably. And commentators add to the situation as they explain for an expert audience and not for people wanting to have an entertaining afternoon in front of their tellies! And many times these commentators hide behind technical terms because they themselves don’t fully understand what is going on. There you have it.





Lewis is different... He is visible - he is living the life of a true champion. Bernie Ecclestone

Q: You also have lately put some of the blame on the drivers; that too many believe that all they have to do is drive a car and they forget about the show - especially the world champions… BE: Sebastian (Vettel) is no different to Fernando (Alonso). Lewis (Hamilton) is different in that respect. He is visible - he is living the life of a true champion. He is no stranger to the red carpet which makes him a good ambassador for the sport, as he is world famous. And look at what he is doing on the track! I would go so far as to say that he will win his third title this year. I am positive about that. Q: If you call Lewis the ‘perfect’ champion, what about somebody like seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher? BE: Without doubt Michael did an incredible job, but he also was a bit reclusive and not so outgoing as Lewis is.



Q. You have been quoted as saying that nowadays drivers are merely puppets, controlled by their teams and their sponsors… BE: I never said that. But for sure teams and sponsors don’t breed characters. How could they?



Q: Is Ferrari making Sebastian happy again - after his frustrating 2014 season?

BE: Yes, it seems that Ferrari is finally moving out of the doldrums. But I have not spoken to him recently.



Q: When he made the switch from Red Bull Racing to Ferrari, did he consult you on that matter? BE: Yes, I spoke to him. He could have gone anywhere or stayed where he was, but it could not have been any worse at Ferrari. It only can be better.



Q: Ferrari has had the biggest change in management of all the teams over the winter. Do we now see a new Ferrari - and will it succeed? BE: It looks to me that they are doing a better job than they did last year - or the last two years - so that is good.

It looks to me that Ferrari are doing a better job than they did last year - or the last two years - so that is good. Bernie Ecclestone