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Montezemolo slams 'meddling' Ecclestone

Luca di Montezemolo: "The era of the one man show cannot continue" © Sutton Images

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Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has launched another attack on Formula One's octogenarian boss Bernie Ecclestone, saying his time in charge is nearing an end and calling for a restructuring of the sport.

Montezemolo recently said that Ecclestone, 82, was getting too old for the job as commercial rights holder. In his Christmas address to the team Montezemolo said Formula One needed to have its succession plan in place and accused Ecclestone of meddling in things that should not concern him.

"Every so often, Bernie likes to play the boss and gets involved in matters that don't concern him. Godfathers no longer exist, at least not in F1. Maybe he would do better to think about attracting bigger crowds and more youngsters, and to discuss more with the television stations and the media.

"We are approaching a time when we need to think about the future, because all eras must inevitably come to an end, as happened to us when Todt, Brawn and Schumacher left. It's not a case of replacing Bernie and in fact I do not like doing to others what I would not want to happen to myself. It's a question that needs to be tackled with the current owners of this sport, CVC which, let us not forget, is an investment company looking for a financial return on what it has invested in Formula 1."

Montezemolo added that it will be will be a new era when Ecclestone is replaced, and that it should be a new structure that takes the sport forward.

"The era of the one man show cannot continue: the future should be in the hands of a team that will look after all the different areas. We are slowly approaching the end of a period characterised by the style of one man who has done significant things. It's a bit of a similar case to what will happen to me: within the decade I will face this question, but when I am 75 not 82…

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.