Post-Ecclestone era ‘chance for more entertainment’

The end of Bernie Ecclestone’s four-decade reign of Formula One could see it return to being a more entertaining spectacle, former McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh said on Wednesday.

Ecclestone’s time as the colourful ringmaster of the Grand Prix circuit effectively ended on Monday when US-based Liberty Media completed its takeover of motorsport’s most prestigious brand in a deal valued at about $8 billion.

Whitmarsh, who spent 24 years at Formula One powerhouse McLaren before stepping down in 2014, said Ecclestone’s departure was the end of an era, but a necessary one for the sport to re-energise itself.

“It is the end of an era but it is a move forward moment,” Whitmarsh, who is now Chief Executive of Ben Ainslie Racing, said on the sidelines of the unveiling of a new framework agreement for yachting’s The Americas Cup.

“I was probably enemy number one of Bernie on occasion [Whitmarsh was president of the Formula One Teams Association in 2010] but you have got to like the guy and respect what he did originally.

“He has a certain charm and charisma and is an extraordinary individual. He deserves lots of plaudits for what he achieved.”

However, Whitmarsh said the writing on the wall for 86-year-old Ecclestone had become apparent in recent years. “In any business or enterprise there does come a time when change is needed,” he said.

“It was pretty obvious something was going to happen. Anyone saying it was a surprise development hasn’t been watching what’s been going on.”