Surtees: F1 needs younger drivers

"I think it's time for a change at the top level. We need more youngsters," said Surtees, world champion in 1964.

"What we need to do is give more youngsters an opportunity. It's where I think the structure of motorsport needs to be revised by the governing body and those at the top of motorsport," Surtees added.

"We need to give assistance to allow talent to develop in the lesser formulas. Some nations are more supportive than others, for example I think the French have been much more supportive of their young drivers than for instance the British."

Formula One will have one of its youngest grids in years in 2007.

Fernando Alonso, the youngest double world champion in history at the age of 25, will line up alongside 22-year-old Lewis Hamilton at McLaren.

With Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, 38, now retired, the Italian squad will have 27-year-old Kimi Raikkonen and 25-year-old Felipe Massa as their drivers.

Several drivers competing in this year's championship like Heikki Kovalainen, Adrian Sutil, Anthony Davidson or Robert Kubica are still in their 20s.

Surtees, whose own 15-year-old son Henry will race in Formula BMW this year, believes it's important that F1 grows its own role models.

"I think it's very important that motorsport has a strong future, because we have such a strong heritage of motorsport expertise that it is essential to GB Ltd," he added.

"But also what is important is that we get one or two British names at the top. Motorsport, compared to other sports does not get its fair share of media attention.

"Motorsport can offer more in terms of role models, than the other sports activities which get all the publicity. In recent years we haven't really had someone right at the top.

"Maybe Button, Davidson or young Hamilton will get there. There are a number of good youngsters out there, all coming through who could potentially raise the profile of the sport. 

"It's difficult though. The British driver has the biggest problem, as there is so much competition for the sponsorship pound and this in turn is not helped by the lack of media attention. The media don't really consider what motorsport means to the country. "