Debate about Formula 1’s future has intensified as the championship enters a new regulatory cycle. Drivers, teams and former key figures of the sport have all weighed in on what the changes could mean for racing. Among them is former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, who has voiced caution about how the evolving rules may affect both the spectacle and the audience.

His comments follow recent criticism from Max Verstappen, who questioned the new power unit regulations and labelled some aspects “anti-racing”, even comparing the direction of F1 to “Formula E on steroids”.

Current F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has dismissed fears about the sport losing its appeal, insisting the changes are necessary for technological relevance and long-term sustainability. Ecclestone, however, believes the transition period could be challenging for fans, media and even paddock insiders.

"There will be confusion at the start of the season because everyone has to relearn Formula 1. And the rules certainly don't favour Max Verstappen and his style of driving," he added, alluding to the aggressive, full-attack nature of the four-time F1 drivers' champion," Ecclestone said in an interview with sport.de.

Ecclestone argues that the growing emphasis on technical constraints risks shifting attention away from drivers, traditionally the central figures of the sport. In his view, Formula 1 has always been defined primarily by driver competition rather than engineering complexity alone.

"It's less about racing, but that's how things are developing: more regulations, more rules for the drivers, don't do this, don't do that. F1's DNA is that it's a drivers' world championship and not an engineers' one. Formula 1 is now competing more with Formula E. Maybe the fans like that, but I don't think so. The danger is that we'll lose the fans. I sincerely hope I'm wrong," Ecclestone concluded.