Jordan and Briatore Call for F1 Publicity

Formula One team bosses Eddie Jordan and Flavio Briatore have complained that the glitz and glamour that used to be synonymous with Grand Prix racing has been lost from the sport.

The fun-loving pair believe that Formula One has lost some of its appeal, and suggested that fans are more interested in the celebrities involved than the sport itself.

"Look at the pits," said Jordan. "There was no one there, just members of the press. In the past, we've had famous names in the pits here, like Pele and Ronaldo, but there was no atmosphere.

"This race used to have such a buzz - everyone liked to come out here early - but it just isn't the same any longer. The biggest news today was the camera falling off the tracks into the pits."

Briatore and Jordan both suggested that Formula One teams needed to make more of an effort, to liven up television pictures.

"No one really bothers about whether a car is running traction control or launch control," pointed out Briatore. "What people are interested in is entertainment, and we need to make sure that they have it."

Both men suggested that they would bring up the matter with FIA president Max Mosley and Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone in order to change things for the future.