‘Bernie Ecclestone era coming to an end’ says Ferrari boss

Bernie's days numbered? Not if he has anything to do with it.

Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo believes a new era of Formula 1 is approaching, with the Italian expecting a change to the way in which the sport is led in the near future. The 65-year-old wants F1 to be controlled in a democratic manner, rather than by one person as is the situation with Bernie Ecclestone.

"We need to start a new phase: we will see which means of governance Formula 1 will adopt, but we will put forward our ideas very forcefully," di Montezemolo explained. "We will no longer accept this principal of absolute democracy.

"We are approaching a time when we need to think about the future, because all eras must inevitably come to an end, as happened to us when (Jean) Todt, (Ross) Brawn and (Michael) Schumacher left."

Although di Montezemolo refused to go as far as stating that Ecclestone should be replaced, he believes the sport needs to be controlled by a group – not one person.

"It’s not a case of replacing Bernie and in fact I do not like doing to others what I would not want to happen to myself. It’s a question that needs to be tackled with the current owners of this sport, CVC, which is an investment company looking for a financial return on what it has invested in Formula 1.

"The era of the one man show cannot continue: the future should be in the hands of a team that will look after different areas. We are slowly approaching the end of a period characterized by the style of one man who has done significant things. It’s a similar case to what will happen to me: within the decade I will face this question, but when I am 75 not 82…"

Ecclestone has been involved in the governance of Formula 1 since 1978.