Get unlimited access
You have only 5 articles remaining to view this month.
Formula 1 commercial boss Sean Bratches says Fernando Alonso was right to say the championship has become too predictable, but insists the situation will change.
In explaining his decision to not race in F1 in 2019, Alonso declared the predictability, and a lack of opportunity for teams outside the current top three to win races, was a major factor behind the move.
“Had I been his head of communications I would have advised him to use different words on his last lap so to speak,” said Bratches.
“But I think there is an opportunity for F1 to be less predictable, and it’s important that we get there.
“Since the 2015 season only three teams have won a grand prix, so it is pretty predictable.”
Bratches compared F1 with football, where upsets are more common.
“If you look at the Premier League, since the 2014-15 season the bottom three teams have either beaten or tied the top six 29% of the time,” he said.
“So if you’re, let’s say, a Cardiff fan, unless you’re a crazy optimist – Leicester City aside – you might not think you’re going to win the Premier League, but when you play Chelsea or Manchester City you know that you can actually win the game, and it actually happens.
“It doesn’t happen in F1. I think [Alonso] is right, and we have a plan to fix it.
“I wish he was around for another 10 years to be part of that. He’s been such a phenomenal ambassador for the sport, such a hero, a legend, I hope that his brand stays around for many years to come.”
When he announced his imminent departure, Alonso referred to F1 management having attempted to change his mind.
Bratches admitted that the double world champion’s exit is a blow.
“I was disappointed from a business standpoint,” he said.
“He’s been around for a long time, at the highest peaks.
“I respect his decision to move on, and I hope we can engage him to be an ambassador of this great sport going forward.”