Bernie Ecclestone, the mastermind behind modern Formula 1 and its supreme ruler until 2017, has slammed the current penalty system in the sport, claiming it has become overly strict and inconsistent.
The 94-year-old, known for his sharp views, shared his frustration after observing the recent penalties handed to Max Verstappen during the US and Mexican Grands Prix.
Ecclestone called the situation "getting out of hand", referring to how Verstappen received contrasting penalties at different races.
"The rules are now simple: 'Don't fight, or you'll get in trouble,'" Ecclestone remarked. "We saw it in Mexico with the two 10-second penalties given to Max.
"If that's what happens for those incidents, what happens when something more serious occurs? How many seconds will be handed out then? I think we've gone too far."
The former F1 supremo continued, "Everything is too clean, too methodical now. It's no longer a real race."
Speaking to Belgian broadcaster RTBF, Ecclestone conceded that while the sport has improved under Liberty Media's leadership, he still believes there's a lack of deeper analysis in the decision-making process.
"It's like the world in general. Things change all the time. I'm not saying the current people are doing a bad job, but they haven't properly examined what really needs to be eliminated or changed," Ecclestone concluded.
Looking ahead, the next race is the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, scheduled for Sunday, November 24. With a 6.120-kilometre street circuit that offers blistering speeds of up to 342 km/h, it promises to be a thrilling test of speed and strategy, rivalling the likes of Monza.
