Stewart: Ecclestone's F1 Reign Will End, Successor Inevitable
Sir Jackie Stewart says Bernie Ecclestone will eventually be replaced as Formula One's chief, arguing that no one is indispensable despite Ecclestone's transformative impact on the sport.
Sir Jackie Stewart has said Bernie Ecclestone will be replaced as the head of Formula One, insisting that no one is irreplaceable in the sport, regardless of Ecclestone's long-standing influence and achievements. Stewart made his remarks in May 2015, at a time when Ecclestone was 84 and still controlling the commercial side of F1.
Stewart, a three-time world champion and major figure from F1's 1960s and 1970s era, credited Ecclestone for professionalising and commercialising the sport. He described Ecclestone as having done more for Formula One than any other individual has done for their sport, pointing to the growth in global reach, financial stability and the transformation of the paddock environment.
Yet Stewart was clear that the sport must move on, saying, "no one is indispensable, and the next leader of F1 will maybe be even better." He argued that Ecclestone would be missed, but the process of succession was inevitable. Stewart's comments came as some within F1 questioned whether Ecclestone's reluctance to embrace digital media and broader entertainment was holding the sport back.
Calls for change beyond the paddock
Stewart also criticised the complexity of modern Formula One cars and the lack of appeal to wider audiences. He described his own experience driving a contemporary Williams at Goodwood as unsatisfying, citing the overwhelming technology and the need for constant radio guidance. In his view, the sport had become too complex for both drivers and fans.
He called for Formula One to improve its "entertainment package", referencing events in Bahrain where music, food and family-friendly activities were available behind the grandstands. Stewart argued that F1 should do more to attract women and children, noting that football had successfully broadened its audience. He hoped a new generation of sponsors and leaders would recognise this need.
Ecclestone's eventual departure and succession
Stewart's prediction proved accurate less than two years later. In January 2017, following Liberty Media's acquisition of Formula One, Ecclestone stepped down as CEO after nearly four decades at the helm. He was succeeded by Chase Carey, who was tasked with modernising the sport, increasing its digital presence and expanding its appeal, particularly in the United States and among younger audiences.
Ecclestone became chairman emeritus, ending an era in which he had personally negotiated with teams and race promoters, and shaped Formula One into a major global business. The transition marked a shift towards a more corporate and media-savvy leadership, reflecting many of the changes Stewart had called for.
For more on Ecclestone's later years and the transition to new leadership, seeThe story of Bernie Ecclestone: From used motorcycle parts salesman to billionaire
