Bernie Ecclestone: Formula 1 boss says sport is too expensive

Bahrain Grand Prix

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone says the sport is too expensive and claims that it has a litany of other problems that need to be resolved. 

In a wide-ranging interview with BBC Sport, he complained that F1 was "too democratic" and continued his campaign against its turbo hybrid engines.
"We have got past sticking plasters and we need an operation," Ecclestone said.
"We need to really seriously address costs because there are a lot of teams having difficulty trying to keep up."
In the interview with BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan, Ecclestone said:

• He tried to rescue the German Grand Prix but could not come to a deal

• The engine manufacturers did not want the current engines

• He would step down if his presence as boss was preventing Audi entering the sport

And talking to journalists in the media centre at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Ecclestone also:

• Cast doubt on the future of the Italian Grand Prix

• Rejected suggestions that human rights concerns should raise questions about the planned inaugural race in Azerbaijan next year

• Said engines had to be affordable for all teams, whatever design was decided upon for 2017

The German Grand Prix

Germany has dropped off the calendar in 2015 because the Nurburgring, which was due to host the race, has financial troubles and Ecclestone could not reach a deal with Hockenheim, whose contracted turn is not until 2016, to host the race instead.

"We made a contribution by accepting 50% of the price of the contract - let's do that and get yourself sorted out for next year," Ecclestone said. "That still left them in trouble."

The Italian Grand Prix

Monza's contract to host one of the sport's oldest races expires next year and Ecclestone has previously said the circuit needs to pay more money to secure a new deal.
Asked how negotiations were going, Ecclestone: "We will have to wait and see. They don't have an agreement, bit like Germany, same sort of thing."

The Italian Grand Prix has been held every since the Formula 1 World Championship began in 1950

When it was suggested to him that the idea of losing Monza, which first held a race in 1923, was unthinkable, Ecclestone said: "I'll tell you something, I was told that when we didn't have a race in France. And Germany now."

France, which held the first ever grand prix in 1906, dropped off the F1 calendar after 2008.