F1 To Wait Before ‘Bore’ Reaction: Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone thinks F1 should wait three more races before deciding that the refuelling ban is a rule failure.

Some teams are pushing for an immediate reaction to Sunday's processional season opener in Bahrain, such as the imposition of a second mandatory pistop per driver.

But the sport's chief executive Ecclestone told PA Sport that he thinks some races last year were just as boring as Bahrain.

"It wasn't the sort of race that would excite most people I would suppose," the Briton admitted.

"But I think we ought to judge these things a little later on. It's a bit early. We ought to wait until we come back from China."

The 79-year-old confirmed that a second mandatory pitstop is one option, but he also re-proposed his bizarre idea of installing 'shortcuts' on the circuits that could be used by drivers a certain amount of times per race.

"I'm pushing, but sometimes people don't understand these things too well, they don't see the advantages.

"It would be good for TV, and you'd get a lot of excitement out of it," said Ecclestone.

(GMM)

Give F1's New Formula A Chance: Brundle

Martin Brundle has urged F1 followers to "keep the faith" despite Sunday's boring grand prix in Bahrain.

Although billed as a sensational spectacle featuring four world champions, four cars on the pace and exciting driver lineups, the 49-lap opener at Sakhir was less than exciting.

Calls are now being made for immediate rule changes, but grand prix veteran and BBC commentator Martin Brundle is not sure the time is right for a knee-jerk reaction.

"We must give the new system a chance at a number of different circuit layouts with alternative tyre compounds," he said.

But Brundle, 50, admitted that he suspects "more of the same" sort of dull racing will occur.

He said the new refuelling ban is a contributing factor, as well as aerodynamics, with downforce and 'dirty air'-producing double diffusers now in an even more extreme form than was the case in 2009.

The Briton said he doubts Bridgestone will agree to supply tyres that are good for qualifying but will fall apart in the races.

"Bridgestone understandably want to make racing tyres which perform well and represent their technology and brand in a positive light so they won't want to supply overly soft compound tyres," said Brundle.

Reinstating refuelling is not a viable option given the F1 teams' efforts to design cars with huge fuel tanks, and Brundle thinks some teams will not want to agree to a mandatory second stop because their cars are "more easy on tyres".

For now, he is urging caution.

"Many football matches are scoreless draws, and five-day cricket test matches end in draws, too. Similarly, we have been spoiled these past couple of years -- not all F1 races can be classics.

Keep the faith -- F1 can sort it, especially if Mercedes and McLaren can get themselves on the pace of Red Bull and Ferrari," added Brundle.

(GMM)