Ecclestone's approach 'not right in today's world' - Carey

Bernie Ecclestone was removed as F1's CEO by Liberty Media because his approach "was not right in today's world," according to Chase Carey, the man who replaced him.

Liberty completed its acquisition of Formula 1 on Monday, with Ecclestone being given the role of chairman emeritus as Carey took over the role of chief executive to go with his previous position of chairman. Ross Brawn has been appointed to oversee the sporting side while former ESPN executive Sean Bratches will look after commercial matters, and Carey says a new approach was required.

"Bernie is a one-man team," Carey (at left, above) told the BBC. "It was not right in today's world. The decision-making is not as effective as it needs to be. Clearly it has to be improved.

"I don't know whether the decision-making is not what it should be because there is too much history amongst the players.

"One of the benefits we bring is a fresh start. We don't have an agenda other than to make the sport great for its fans and that gives us an opportunity to look at how do we create more of a partnership – everybody has a shared vision of where do we want got go and we can align that vision and have everybody trying to move in the same direction."

Ecclestone will still have some input in his new position, with Carey insisting he still feels the 86-year-old has a lot to offer moving forward.

"I would expect this is difficult for Bernie," Carey said. "He has run this sport for his entire adult life and I respect completely that this is a difficult change.

"We have tried to deal with him with the respect he's due, which is why we offered him the chairman emeritus title. I have been sincere in saying I value his help and advice as we go forward.

"He calls himself a dictator. He has run it as a one-man dictator for a long time. I think the sport needs a fresh perspective. But he has a lot to continue to offer and he will always be part of the F1 family."

While Carey is keen to respect Formula 1's history, he wants to see it embracing new ideas to remain the pinnacle of motorsport.

"We needed a sport that while respecting what made it great has a sense of energy and innovation. In many ways, in a simplistic sense, the sport said 'no' too much and we have to start saying 'yes' – not gimmick it up but find ways to do new and exciting things to have the sport continue to grow and interest and excite people."