Wolff had 'quite a long row' with Ecclestone over social networks

Toto Wolff has revealed he had "a long row" with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone. Last month, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo called for a meeting with the sport's key stakeholders. The common perception in the paddock is that Ecclestone, 83, is resisting the modern era of the internet, and so Montezemolo said the likes of Google and Apple should come along.

He also said representatives of "new media" and "social networks" could have some advice to give. Oddly in F1, arch-rival Mercedes appears to entirely agree. "I had quite a long row with Bernie in a meeting," the German marque's F1 chief Wolff is quoted by the Guardian newspaper at Silverstone.

"We have lost 30 per cent of TV audience in Italy and we have lost some of the audience in Germany, although interestingly the UK is growing. Sure the (social media) model does not work yet as you cannot monetise it, but it is just a matter of time," Wolff added.

Mercedes' championship leader Nico Rosberg also agrees. "We are here to entertain the people," the German is quoted at Silverstone by Speed Week. "Social networks are a young, exciting and emerging media and an excellent platform to show the fans fresh perspectives of the sport. So we should take it seriously," added Rosberg. (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country DE
  • Date of b. Jun 27 1985 (40)
  • Place of b. Wiesbaden, DE
  • Weight 71 kg
  • Length 1.78 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar