Monday 29 June 2015 08:31, UK
Formula 1 great Sir Stirling Moss has praised Bernie Ecclestone for his contribution to the sport and says it is vital that he continues to play a part in its future.
A report in the Financial Times claimed that RSE Ventures, founded by NFL team Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, and investors from Qatar are spearheading a £5bn deal to take over from CVC Capital Partners, currently F1’s largest shareholder.
It is thought Ecclestone would retain his position as F1 chief executive, and Moss believes that would be vital for the sport going forward, claiming that the 84-year-old has done “a lot of good” for F1.
He told Sky Sports News HQ: “I think he needs to be in there – I think he’s done a tremendous amount of good for motor racing actually.
“I know there are some people who are against him and there are some things which are not to everybody’s liking but if you take his input out I don’t think motor racing would be quite where it is today.
“So I think he has actually done quite a lot of good and let’s hope the person who continues after him carries on in that way.”
However, no matter who is in charge going forward, Moss would like to see some changes in the sport and claimed that driver input is being reduced.
He said: “I would like to see the reduction on these stupid penalties they get, drive-throughs and all that sort of thing. That’s not motor racing, let’s get on with the racing and that’s what I’d like to see more than anything else.
“There’s no doubt the cars are terrific, the drivers we have got now are sensational and there is no reason why it shouldn’t regain and hold its position as number one in motoring sport in the world.”
While Sir Stirling dismissed claims that F1 is too predictable, he does acknowledge that driver input is becoming reduced and would like to see a change in circuit layouts.
However, he picked out Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso as the outstanding drivers in the world.
“Lewis is almost in a class of his own; Lewis and Vettel probably, and Alonso to an extent,” he said.
“Alonso hasn’t got a car so that is one of the unfortunate things but I think Formula One is still exciting and the more we learn about it the more exciting it becomes.
“I think the driver’s input is being reduced because he has so many buttons – all those 32 buttons they have, every one of those does something that a driver before would do himself and now it is mechanical.
“I think the drivers are really good but they should make the circuits better – I think they are emasculating too many circuits. We haven’t got circuits like they used to be.
“Motor racing is a dangerous sport and you can’t stop that and if you don’t like it then you go somewhere else, as long as we keep it being as fun and interesting and exciting.”
As the British Grand Prix approaches at Silverstone, Moss has backed Championship leader Lewis Hamilton to bounce back from his disappointing second-place finish in Austria last week to pick up maximum points in front of his home fans.
Closest challenger Nico Rosberg has reduced Hamilton’s lead at the top of the standings to just 10 points after taking the chequered flag at Spielberg, his third win in four races.
However, Moss has backed Hamilton to return to winning ways next weekend.
He said: “I think he (Hamilton) starts as one of the odds-on favourites, there is no doubt about it. Motor racing is such an incredible sport and the amount of people we’ve got who watch it now is really good so I can only hope that it goes from strength to strength.
“I think he takes him (Rosberg) seriously anyway. Nico is terrific but I think that Lewis is just that little bit faster and if it’s the fastest man who is going to win then it’s likely to be Lewis – he really is terrific.”
Watch extensive coverage of the British Grand Prix, including practice sessions and the race, live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday, July 3 from 10am.
