F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone says Formula One is in the worst state it has ever been and admits he would not pay to watch a race.
Ecclestone, the sport's commercial rights holder, has been a vocal critic of the V6 engines which were introduced in 2014. On the day winter testing began in Barcelona an interview with Ecclestone was published in the Daily Mail where he launched another attack on the current state of F1.
"I think I can say that I'm a bit of an exception in Formula One today -- I have a vested interest," Ecclestone said. "I want to do what is best for Formula One. I don't need the job. I don't need the money. Most of the participants are only thinking about what's good for them in the short term. Long term for most of those people is two or three races. The result is that Formula One is the worst it has ever been.
"I wouldn't spend my money to take my family to watch a race. No way. What's the point when you pretty much know -- and the bookmakers know, and they're not stupid -- that Lewis Hamilton will probably put the car on pole and more likely than not win the race, and the other Mercedes will be on the podium?'"
Ecclestone took aim at the Strategy Group and F1 Commission, which both bring the top teams and manufacturers into the decision- and regulation-making process in F1.
"This sort of thing is what is commonly known as a cartel and cartels are illegal. We are running something that is illegal. On top of all that it is anti-competitive.'"
On the subject of Force India and Sauber's complaint to the European Commission last year, Ecclestone said: "The Commission may get involved but we are big boys and we should be able to sort it out ourselves."
Last year Ecclestone joined forces with FIA president Jean Todt in an attempt to force through a budget engine in time for 2017 in an attempt to cut the spiralling cost of power units. However, the manufacturer's came back with a counter proposal to cut costs of the engines they supply, a solution Todt was satisfied with.
Ecclestone thinks Todt has done a good job promoting road safety in his current role but says he is otherwise hindered by motivations he has away from motorsport.
"Jean, unfortunately, has become a diplomat. He is doing a very good job for road safety. But his interest in Formula One is purely a result of being president of the FIA.... He doesn't look to do anything that might destabilise what he really wants to do in the UN. He should carry on with the other stuff, but hand over responsibility for Formula One to someone else."