UPTON-upon-Severn born Nigel Mansell is looking forward to a more ‘exciting’ and ‘competitive’ Formula One season after supremo Bernie Ecclestone was relieved of his duties by the sport’s new owners Liberty Media.
The 1992 F1 World Champion took to Twitter to share his opinion after the 86-year-old chief executive was replaced by Chase Carey in arguably the most significant change in F1’s management since Ecclestone took over in the 1970s.
Prior to the new season which starts with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 26, new regulations have been put in place.
These include wider and heavier cars which run on thicker tires for increased speed.
Mansell said: “Best wishes to Liberty Media amazing opportunity for them and F1, exciting new rules. 2017 should be more competitive and much faster.”
The £6.4billion sale of F1 to US giants Liberty Media, who are to be renamed the Formula 1 Group, was completed on Monday and new chief executive Carey expressed his delight in taking over the position.
“F1 has huge potential with multiple untapped opportunities,” he said. “I have enjoyed hearing from the fans, teams, FIA, promoters and sponsors on their ideas and hopes for the sport.
“We will work with all of these partners to enhance the racing experience and add new dimensions to the sport and we look forward to sharing these plans overtime.”
Ecclestone, who will now act as an advisor to the Liberty board, said in a statement following his dismissal he was proud of the work he had done over the past 40 years.
He added: “I’m very pleased that the business has been acquired by Liberty and that it intends to invest in the future of F1.
“I am sure that Chase will execute his role in a way that will benefit the sport.”