Formula 1’s new “Hollywood recipe” is a turn-off for German fans, according to the sport’s former supremo Bernie Ecclestone. Just days before the 2023 season begins in Bahrain, not only is Nico Hulkenberg now the only German driver, there are no more German races – and Bahrain will not even be on free-to-air television. Ecclestone, 92, thinks the obvious problem is that the German public has “lost interest in Formula 1”. “We had such great races there in front of such a great crowd – but it’s all gone. I don’t think the Germans are fools and Formula 1 is increasingly being designed for the US market. “The race in Las Vegas this year is the crowning glory, but I think the Germans want to see a sporting competition, not a sham.

Follow MotorMouth on social media:

• 
• 
• 
•