Michael Schumacher’s former manager Willi Weber has blamed Formula 1’s decline on “wimpy” drivers, Bernie Ecclestone and FIA president Jean Todt.
Weber reckons modern F1 drivers complain too much – something which is now visible to fans as team radio is often broadcast, unlike when the German was most actively involved in the sport.
“Who wants to see the wimps of today crying on the radio?” he told SportBild.
“There are no more characters like Ayrton Senna, Jacques Villeneuve and Michael Schumacher were. They would not complain on the radio but give their answer on the track.”
He’s also laid some of the blame on “too old” Ecclestone and Todt, who he believes lacks the power to push through relevant change.
“There are many reasons for the decline of the Formula One. First, the fish rots at the head. Bernie Ecclestone is much too old to embrace the age of new media while FIA president Jean Todt lacks the power to enforce. These men think only of their own interests.”