JULY 8, 2015

Mercedes not to blame for boredom says Surer

Former F1 driver Marc Surer says it is not fair to blame Mercedes for any of the sport's current problems.

Former F1 driver Marc Surer says it is not fair to blame Mercedes for any of the sport's current problems.

While many think formula one is currently 'boring' because a silver car has won 14 out of the last 15 grands prix, Swiss Surer says the sport has often been the same.

"There have always been teams that have dominated," Surer, now a pundit for German television, said in an interview with Tages-Anzeiger.

"Before Mercedes, it was Red Bull with Vettel, Ferrari with Schumacher. We have to live with that, because so much depends on the technical side."

Asked if the level of the dominance has changed, however, Surer argues: "I don't think that has intensified in recent years. What has changed is the acceptance of the audience.

"But it has always been the exception if more teams are fighting for the title in the same season," he insisted.

"The fundamental problem is the regulations," Surer, 63, explained.

"It's too complicated so the fans no longer understand. At the same time, the marketing is a disaster. For example, Mercedes is the only team using the term 'hybrid', and for everything else we have MGU-H and MGU-K and formula one is not selling that message.

"It is my belief that the transition to hybrid was a great thing, because that is the future of cars, but those in charge made a mistake with the complexity of it all," Surer added.

(GMM)