'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 is the master of dropping a bombshell and watching everyone scurry for cover [...] He revealed a revolutionary plan that he wants in place for the opening race of this season in Melbourne on March 20 — mixed grids.
'We need more competitive racing,' he said. 'I would keep qualifying as it is. The guy who is quickest would still have his number of poles recorded for history. But then he could start, say, 10th based on his pole and where he stands in the championship. We are looking at exactly how we could do it.
'The guy who is third fastest in qualifying would start, say seventh or eighth. That is better than totally reversed grids because all you get with them is the man at the back getting past the slower guys at the start of the race. This way makes it competitive between guys of similar speed. It won't be easy to get past people.
'The big thing is that it would create debate. I would say, "I think the pole man will win for this reason or that". You say, "No, I think so-and-so will win because..." That's what we need. I don't know if we can get it through in time. We'll see.'
http://www.dailymail...y-watch-it.html
Edited by Marklar, 22 February 2016 - 18:09.
