F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone "has been annoyed by Mercedes' dominance," according to Burkhard Nuppeney of DIE WELT. The 85-year-old Brit "calls for reforms to the series to make it more appealing." Ecclestone: "Mercedes' dominance is so big that many people only watch the start of a Grand Prix and then turn off the TV because Mercedes makes the races boring." He added that this "is not good for the sport." Ecclestone considers it legitimate to dictate changes onto teams and manufacturers through FIA. He said, "We've been trying for decades to restrict the financial investments to guarantee a broadly based competitiveness for all. But the teams and also the manufacturers haven't played along to date. They simply don't want it, therefore you have to force them." Despite the teams' resistance, Ecclestone "continues with his plan to introduce a budget engine for smaller teams." He added that teams, manufacturers and top management "have to find a reasonable, common solution." Ecclestone: "If this does not happen then FIA will introduce clear instructions for a new engine." He continued to say that should manufacturers not agree to them then "they can leave Formula 1." Ecclestone: "They have that freedom" (DIE WELT, 12/6).
