Ecclestone Seeks Changes to Liven Up F1

Bernie Ecclestone has called for action to liven up Formula One and prevent television viewers from switching off.

"We have to shape up, we haven't got a very good act at the moment," the sport's supremo told Britain's ITV television in an interview to be broadcast before Sunday's U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis.

Ecclestone said racing had become processional with the Ferrari-dominated Belgian Grand Prix, usually one of the thrilling dates on the calendar, "reduced to a straightforward drive to the shops".

The Italian team, World Champions for the fourth season in a row, have finished one-two in the last three races and are likely to do it again on Sunday.

ITV's Formula One website said that in the interview, Ecclestone suggested banning electronic 'driver aids', cutting aerodynamic downforce and even reducing all teams to a single tyre supplier in future.

Ecclestone's comments came as Ferrari prepared their cars for a race likely to bring them a 14th win in 16 outings this season. Michael Schumacher secured the Championship more than two months ago, faster than any driver in Grand Prix history, and has won a record 10 times in 2002 but the television ratings have been on the slide since he won the title.

ITV's coverage of the last Italian Grand Prix saw an average audience of 2.7 million in Britain, down from 3.0 million the previous year. At Indianapolis, ticket sales are also expected to be down on last year, with 140,000 to 150,000 compared to 2001's 175,000 and more than 200,000 the year before.

Open Battle

Formula One fans yearning for an open battle between the Ferrari drivers, in a season that has seen uproar over the contrived finish in Austria in May, were given no assurances before Saturday's qualifying.

Schumacher, who has led practice on both Friday and Saturday, said that he hoped they could have a 'free' battle since another victory for him would also guarantee Barrichello second place in the standings.

"If I would win this race, then it would automatically mean for him a second, which means that - maybe Jean can say more about this - we can race free," he said on Friday, referring to Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt.

But Todt was cautious as ever.

"Definitely if Michael is winning this race, then Rubens would be second and we will achieve the result. But I mean, there are many other cases which can happen. So once we see what is happening in qualifying, we will decide what is in the best interest for Ferrari."

Todt has said repeatedly that no team can stay dominant forever and Ferrari intend to enjoy their moment and make it last as long as possible. McLaren boss Ron Dennis, whose team won a record 15 races in the 1988 season, said Ferrari's rivals were also contributing to making the team look good.

"I think Jean and his colleagues have obviously done an incredibly good job and I take some comfort from the fact that I think our team has done a pretty poor job," he said.

"So I think we make them actually look better not than they are but they certainly look better because of our own efforts not being as they should be."