Summary Sebastian Vettel has warned that steps must be taken to avoid isolating fans.
BAHRAIN (Agencies) - If the sport is to maintain its popularity, Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel has warned that steps must be taken to avoid isolating fans.
The Ferrari star was heavily against the now shelved new qualification system used in Australia and Bahrain, and he says that Formula 1 chiefs must remember what makes the sport so attractive in the first place - full-blooded racing.
"The new formula we have with turbo-hybrid engines is very futuristic, with the cars becoming more fuel efficient, but the public don t care about that," he said to Welt am Sonntag.
Formula 1 s planned new qualification flopped spectacularly on the track at Australia, with the circuit abandoned near the end of the session as teams opted to avoid tyre wear.
Despite discussions to revert back to the old system or come up with a new idea, the disliked apparatus was again in use at Bahrain until its demise shortly after.
"We need to ensure that Formula 1 is a sport where the best performing drivers can fight each other in the best performing cars on the most attractive tracks," the German said, addressing the debacle.
"You can t lose sight of the essence of Formula 1."
After a slow start to the new season Vettel is 35 points behind leader Nico Rosberg of Mercedes, who is trailed by teammate Lewis Hamilton in second.
