Ecclestone Says Formula One Would Welcome Mosley Back
Bernie Ecclestone has criticised Formula One's current decision-making and said the paddock would welcome a return by former FIA president Max Mosley.
Bernie Ecclestone has said that Formula One would welcome Max Mosley back, arguing that the sport has become too democratic and over-regulated since Mosley’s departure as FIA president. Ecclestone made the remarks in an interview with Spanish broadcaster Movistar in July 2015, at a time when Jean Todt had taken over the FIA’s leadership.
Ecclestone, who ran Formula One’s commercial operations for decades, said the sport’s decision-making had become too slow and fractured. He described the current structure as “too much of a democracy” and stated, “I’m a little bit against democracy.” Ecclestone contrasted the previous era, when he and Mosley worked closely together, with the more conciliatory approach under Todt. “The difficulty is getting everybody to agree. If we could get the FIA to agree, we could do whatever we felt was the right thing to do,” he said.
Mosley, who was FIA president from 1993 to 2009, was known for his firm and sometimes controversial leadership style. Ecclestone’s comments reflect nostalgia for a period when the sport’s direction was set by a small group of powerful figures, rather than by consensus among teams and stakeholders.
Criticism of current F1 rules and direction
Ecclestone criticised the complexity of the current technical regulations, especially the power unit engine formula introduced in 2014. He described the rulebook as “too clinical”, with too many restrictions on what teams and drivers can do. “Do not do this, you can’t do that,” he said, arguing that the sport had lost some of its appeal and spontaneity.
He also said that Formula One should focus more on being a drivers’ championship, rather than a contest dominated by engineers and pitwall instructions. Ecclestone claimed that drivers themselves are unhappy with the current situation, as they feel less in control of the outcome on track.
Honda and McLaren struggles highlighted
Ecclestone also commented on Honda’s difficulties since returning to Formula One as an engine supplier to McLaren in 2015. He admitted surprise at the lack of performance and reliability, saying that both Honda and McLaren were “not happy”. He added that Fernando Alonso was “absolutely, 100 per cent, not happy” with the situation, referencing the high expectations for Honda’s comeback.
The remarks underline wider frustration in the paddock with the complexity and cost of the hybrid power unit era, which has seen some manufacturers struggle to compete. The debate over regulations and the balance between technical challenge and sporting spectacle continues to shape Formula One’s future.
Leadership and the direction of Formula One
Ecclestone’s call for Mosley’s return was as much a critique of the current governance as a personal endorsement. By contrasting Mosley’s style with Todt’s, he pointed to ongoing tensions over how Formula One should be run and who should set its priorities. The discussion about the right balance between strong leadership and consensus-driven management remains unresolved in the sport.
For more on Ecclestone’s views on the sport’s management, seeEcclestone says struggling F1 teams' collapse would not worry him.
