In a shrewd, though somewhat obvious move, ahead of this weekend's race at the Red Bull Ring, where both its teams are expected to struggle, Red Bull has made public an in-house interview with former team driver Mark Webber.

Whilst some might see the interview as the latest in a series of none too subtle moves by Red Bull and its owner, Dietrich Mateschitz, as the teams continue to struggle, Webber’s words ring true and will strike a chord with most fans of the sport.

"The championship itself and Formula One itself is not in great shape," said Webber, who finished runner-up in last weekend's Le Mans 24 Hours. "I think we're disappointed with it as F1 fans. All the drivers that I'm talking with, we're disappointed with what's going on with the cars, the lap times, it's just not stimulating for the drivers.

"And this is rubbing off, the fans can see this," he continued. "Over the last five or six years, they've got many, many, many things wrong to try and make the sport better and it became a sniff too artificial.

"There's a lot of questions to be answered and they need to act fast on getting the fans engaged again.

MotoGP, my God, not many people can do that and that's why people watch," he added, echoing the thoughts of Max Noble. "Messi, Ronaldo, this is what people love to switch a TV on for.

"We've got a big chance here to keep Formula One like that, but it's not like that at the moment, it's a shame, they've dulled it down.

"The reference point that we now have is horrendous in terms of pace," he concluded. "It needs to be on a different level. They need to make heavy changes and get the drivers stimulated again and that'll wash off on the fans."

With the 2014 event a sell-out - in the traditional sense - it will be worth noting how well this year's Austrian Grand Prix is attended, especially in light of Germany slipping from the calendar.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by SideGlance, 20/06/2015 0:27

"I agree completely with MW, F1 is fairly boring, I watch paint drying as an alternative !! F1 needs MUCH better sounding engines, less tech, much smaller wings, bigger/wider tires, and maybe less settings on steering wheel (it confuses Massa for instance !! ), but seriously, worrying about fuel is SILLY SUCKY !!

Why does F1 need 'to be real world related', who the F*&K drives at 200mph/300kph in 'the real world'??

Silly SILLY F1 !! Hey, an IDEA, let's F&*K our selves !! JOB DONE !!!!!!"

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2. Posted by Direct Drive, 19/06/2015 21:41

"Ferrari road cars are sleek, fast, powerful and sound fantastic. This is what we're looking for in F1. We also want our drivers to be masters of their trade. I'm not saying we should go back to the 70's and 80's with technology - let the engineers extract the most out of a chassis and engine but make the drivers do the same without aids. Let other series be environmentally friendly or test beds for road cars. F1 is supposed to be about breathtaking courses and drivers in their cars on the edge."

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3. Posted by testa rossa, 19/06/2015 16:29

"Didn't Mark know ? the football players they get soon headsets and will be guided from the sideline by radio like F1 drivers.
like " Lionel now run to the middle of the field " , "watch behind you , "take some breath now so you can charge later " play the ball to the left "
Wouldn't it be great to see all the sportsmen guided by a support team at the side lines ,like in F1. Whooaa.

F1 drivers , race and car support from the trackside ?... LMFAO !!!!!!!"

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4. Posted by Ro, 18/06/2015 20:37

"ITs a shame that the "powers-that-be" were too busy making the engines just too clever. They are, by no means, a fabulous power unit. Its just that they arent right for F1. We, the spectators (and viewers) just dont realise how complex the units are. But they shouldnt be, the engines should be simple and incredibly powerful. Everyone thinks we should be "GREEN"...but has anyone thought that a Jumbo flying from London to Sydney uses more fuel than all the cars for 4 GP's ? And there are 6 flights a day....Let the designers and engine men loose, get rid of the bat wings and completely banish in-car radios. No fuel stops, no tyre stops. Let the drivers drive and race. In the end all the fans will come back. If its not done soon, F1 will just die a slow death."

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Webber laments failings of F1

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