Marchionne urges F1 to prepare for post-Ecclestone era
Ferrari and Fiat chief Sergio Marchionne has called for Formula One to plan for life after Bernie Ecclestone, arguing the sport needs a stronger structure and more manufacturer involvement.
Sergio Marchionne, president of Ferrari and Fiat, has warned that Formula One cannot afford to be caught unprepared by the eventual retirement of Bernie Ecclestone. Marchionne, speaking in April 2016, emphasised that the sport needs to rethink its structure and attract more major manufacturers to secure its future.
Ecclestone, then 85, had been synonymous with the commercial running of Formula One for decades. Marchionne acknowledged Ecclestone's negotiating skill but insisted the sport must be ready for a transition. "Sooner or later we all have to retire," Marchionne said, adding that F1 will need to "re-think everything and build a more solid F1. With a real structure."
Marchionne's comments came amid persistent speculation that leading manufacturers, including Mercedes, were seeking a change in F1's leadership. The political climate in the sport was especially tense, with ongoing debates about governance, revenue distribution and the future direction of technical regulations.
Manufacturers and the sport's credibility
Marchionne argued that Formula One's prestige depends on competition between top manufacturers. He pointed to Audi as an example of the kind of brand F1 should attract, saying the sport would benefit if more such names joined the grid. "Ferrari built its myth by beating the best," he said, suggesting that victories over smaller teams do little for the sport's reputation.
The Ferrari boss also reiterated his ambition for Alfa Romeo to return to Formula One as a full works team. Marchionne stressed this would not be a mere branding or sponsorship exercise, but a genuine racing commitment. He pointed to Alfa Romeo's historic success in the sport and suggested that Ferrari could support such a project, leveraging their technical expertise.
What a post-Ecclestone F1 might require
Marchionne suggested that a future-proof Formula One would require a more robust and transparent governance structure, less reliant on the influence of a single individual. He argued that the sport should be built on solid foundations, with clear rules and equitable opportunities for manufacturers and teams.
The prospect of Alfa Romeo returning to the grid, Marchionne said, would depend on the brand's commercial performance. He maintained that any re-entry would be as a constructor rather than a sponsor, reflecting both Alfa's heritage and the need for credible competition among manufacturers. For now, Marchionne said, "first we have to make some money with Alfa and then we will try to enter."
Marchionne's intervention added to the ongoing debate about F1's future direction, as teams, manufacturers and stakeholders considered how to adapt the sport's governance and commercial model for a new era. The timing and nature of Ecclestone's eventual departure remained uncertain, but calls for reform from figures such as Marchionne signalled a growing appetite for change among F1's most influential participants.
