Bernie Ecclestone says F1 Strategy Group should be axed

Bernie Ecclestone believes it is time the Strategy Group was axed and for the FIA and Formula 1 Management to again call the shots.

F1's commercial rights holder feels the influence the leading teams now have on F1's future is having an adverse effect compared to the days when he and former FIA president Max Mosley were in charge.

Although such an alliance had its own problems, at present there is often too much self-interest from the major teams that prevents firm decisions from being taken.

Ecclestone feels a more united front with FIA president Jean Todt would drive things on.

"We should stop mucking around and asking for opinions," said Ecclestone, speaking to AUTOSPORT.

"The problem is we are running something that is too democratic, and Jean won't go along with things.

"I said to him the other day 'if you come up with something sensible, on whatever it is, I'll support you.

"The same thing – if we [FOM] come up with something sensible you should support it'.

"Between us we should say 'these are the rules of the championship, if you want to be in it, great, if you don't, we understand'."

Asked whether F1's Strategy Group should be removed, Ecclestone replied: "Yeah, absolutely.

"It's bloody difficult for the constructors to come up with anything.

"If you were Mercedes you wouldn't want anything changed.

"At last month's Strategy Group meeting nothing was decided – not even the date of the next meeting.

"We could have voted on something then and put it through, but nothing." More at Autosport