Whilst admitting that the new regulations for 2014 are "unacceptable" need to be addressed, Bernie Ecclestone insists that championship leaders Mercedes will not suffer.

The Briton, who has always been against a majority of the new rules is under increasing pressure from teams, manufacturers and circuit bosses. While the original debate centred on noise, since then virtually the entire rule package has come under fire from some quarters, while others claim that there is nothing wrong.

As seen last year, when changes to the tyre compounds mid-season helped some teams but hurt others, any changes to the 2014 regulations could turn the championship on its head. Indeed, while some claim that the row is more about Ecclestone destabilising the sport thereby enabling him to drive down its value and make a bid to buy it, others are concerned that any change could drive manufacturers out and rip the sport apart.

As ever the teams are divided in opinion, some claiming the new regulations have no place in F1 whilst others insist the sport should be praised for its new green agenda.

As far as Ecclestone and the owners of the sport (not the fans) are concerned however it is all about money, which means bums on seats in front of TVs around the globe.

Speaking in Bahrain ahead of today's race - which looks likely to be a walk over for Mercedes, giving the German team its third win of the season - Ecclestone admitted that change is needed but that Mercedes must not lose out.

"We have to change, for sure," he told reporters. "I don't think the way things are at the moment are acceptable to the public. People buying tickets to come here, or go somewhere else, are expecting to see what Formula One used to be.

"What is important is that the teams know the problem, and the engine manufacturers know the problem, and they're trying to sort it," he added. Everybody is complaining, even Mercedes. They don't like people being unhappy.

"They can do something about the noise, and they need another 10 kilos of fuel or something," he admitted. "I think everybody will agree to that.

"These engines, without any doubt, are incredible," he continued. "The amount of power they produce from such a small amount of fuel. But I don't think that's Formula One business. They should do it in touring cars or something, but not in Formula One.

"Mercedes, without any doubt, have done a better job and they shouldn't be punished for doing a good job," he continued. "We shouldn't change the regulations to punish them. But let's see what happens when they all really start racing."

Chris Balfe

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Spindoctor, 07/04/2014 9:34

"Proof, not that it's needed, that Bernie really HAS lost the plot.
He's always been irritating, but in the past you could determine a pretty ruthless, focussed business brain behind his "contributions" to the debate. Recently these seem mainly to have degenerated into fairly vacuous "blather".

Other people have pointed-out many of the obvious inaccuracies and self-contradictions in Bernie's latest effort, and I see no point in re-hashing them. Suffice to say that a return to the "good old days" when Max 'n Bernie could play fast & loose with the rules as a means to their personal ends is definitely NOT a good idea. We've had 3 pretty good (one excellent!) race under the new rules. Mercedes are deservedly dominant - they've done a better job than the rest. The others certainly will catch up.
But in the meantime, and unlike recently, there's a huge tussle between Hamilton & Rosberg at the front: two of this generation's best drivers fighting hammer & tongs in the best car to win - what's wrong with that?

I don't know what the viewing figures have been, but this must give a promoter with Bernie's allegedly golden touch all he needs to get\keep people watching the sport."

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2. Posted by dingowild, 06/04/2014 23:50

"fantastic race, what should be changed..? damn ferrari. so italian. what have they dug out about ecclestone that they can milk it for 40 years and he comes running panting with his tail wagging obediently if things don't go the italian way? reminds me of the football world cup where italy get their opponents weakened behind the scenes before the game gets to start. how about trying to compete with what you've got instead of trying to manipulate yourself into worthless titles? ferrari didn't whine when schumi was leading the pack five years in a row and often made the package - with his unbelievable work rate & talent added - a mere procession. mclaren saw no reasons to change nor did williams when they had equipment & engines that made senna & mansell lead with automatic rockets compared to soap box carts. and it's childish to miss the ear splitting bedlam as ersatz for excitement instead of concentrating on the race. i find the lower decibel growl quite sexy and its astounding to see the turbo speed when they accelerate out of nowhere. jeezus, we're three races into the competition and again everything has to be ripped apart to suit damn ferrari."

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3. Posted by seriousfan, 06/04/2014 19:36

"I'm wondering why Seb has so many issues with his car and Daniel has almost none...Is it possible Seb's just uncomfortable with the juggling act required to maximise his equipment? "

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4. Posted by ydenk, 06/04/2014 19:31

"TV always suppresses the the engine noise so the nattering talking heads can give their redundant insights. Plus we can now hear the radio communications better. Doesn't Bernie makes his money off the the TV audience..."

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5. Posted by seriousfan, 06/04/2014 19:12

"The nerve of Bernie! presuming to know what people want...when he says "F1 as it used to be" is he talking about last week, last year, last decade or last century? haha...Please just think it thru before the next change..is that too much to ask? I'm not a fan of the complex formula now in place but having said that, the race in Bahrain was the best I've seen in a long, long time!"

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6. Posted by gturner38, 06/04/2014 17:55

"Mercedes shouldn't be punished for doing a good job. Well, that's great news. Now explain how you won't being punishing the engine manufacturer that gets the best fuel mileage by giving everyone more fuel. They built a better engine to the parameters they were given, and now the talk is about taking away one of those areas where they have an advantage. Suggesting we need to see what happens when "they all really start racing" is being completely dismissive of the fact that they are racing right now and Mercedes is simply doing a masterful job of it. If they want to modify the rules for 2015, great, but Mercedes deserves the right to fight out this season under the terms that were originally put forth. Same holds true for Force India and Williams."

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7. Posted by ape, 06/04/2014 14:00

"Unacceptable is that there is no minimum weight for driver plus seat at a level that the dwarfs have not a advantage over normal men.!!!!!!!!!"

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8. Posted by testa rossa, 06/04/2014 13:04

"blah blah blah"

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Ecclestone: Mercedes will not suffer

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