Controversial former Renault team principal Flavio Briatore believes having Bernie Ecclestone in charge of Formula 1 is a good thing, and when it finally comes to handing the reigns over to someone else, the sport will suffer as a result.
The 65-year-old is a good friend of Ecclestone, who he referred to as a “good little dictator”, and reckons he will remain in charge for at least “another year or two” for the benefit of the sport.
“He has the strength to remake F1, but he should have more support from CVC and the FIA,” Briatore told broadcaster RAI.
“After he goes, there will be no one like him again. If CVC stays, it will appoint a chief executive, perhaps an American, and Formula 1 will be controlled by a board.
“This would not be good,” he added, “as it is better to have a good little dictator making the rules.”
Meanwhile Briatore believes speculation that Mercedes assisted Ferrari’s engine department, allowing the Italian marque to catch up this year, could very well be accurate.
He believes the Anglo-German outfit doesn’t wish to win as easily as it did last year, as it will likely accelerate any rule changes to close up the grid.
“Mercedes does not want to show excessive power, otherwise the rules will be changed. It is not in their interest to win so easily.”