Todt asks Ecclestone to stop criticising F1 in public

International automobile federation (FIA) president Jean Todt urged Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone to cut his public criticism of various aspects of the motorsport.

Ecclestone has never been one to conceal his views, in particular with regard to F1's 1.6 litre V6 power units. Todt said if Ecclestone has any complaints then they should be said in private so the FIA could try to work with him on solutions, reports autosport.com.

"It's a sensitive question because I am deeply sincere about this. Bernie has been doing an outstanding job. If you take what was Formula 1, 50 years ago, and if you see Formula 1 now I admire it. I complain about the paddock but I think about one side of the paddock and the other side, the way it is structured, it is so professional, so well done," said Todt.

"All that has been done on promoting Formula 1 is absolutely admirable. All the credit and money he has got, he deserves it, but I would hope he will be more positive about the product in the future. If he has some complaints, which may be right, it's something we should address internally and not make it public."

Although the roles of Todt and Ecclestone are very different, that has never stopped the latter from interfering in the jurisdiction of the former.

"I know Bernie very well. I know he may tell you I am his best friend, then five minutes later to somebody else I am the worst idiot he has met in his life. I live with that. Bernie, I don't have any problems with him getting more involved as he has to if it is bringing something on board. If it is not constructive, you should not do it," Todt concluded.