Flavio Briatore: Not for me to save 'mad' Formula 1

Briatore was invited to join a special working group , hosted by Bernie Ecclestone, to look at ways of making F1 more appealing to fans.

But the group never got together and Briatore made clear on a visit to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix that he felt F1's problems need to be addressed by current teams.

"It is the teams who need to sort out the problems," he told AUTOSPORT.

"The bosses are big enough to resolve the problems - there is no need for anyone outside to suggest anything.

"I believe it is up to the teams to sit together and improve things."

TECHNOLOGY AND COSTS RUINING F1

During his time in F1, Briatore regularly pushed for the sport to deliver more spectacle.

Looking at the arrival of new regulations this year, he thinks that F1's popularity problems have been caused by too much talk on the technology and out of control costs.

"It is a new F1," he said. "Maybe it is better, but a lot of people don't understand. It is as simple as that.

"F1 is about the race, the event. What we are talking about? We are only talking about a piece of technology. People are not interested in that.

"People are interested to see fights between the drivers; they want to see a driver doing qualifying laps for 60 laps [in the race]. This is what the people are interested."

Are the teams holding F1 back?

When asked what he would change, Briatore said: "A lot. First the costs, it is completely mad. With the current costs, no private people can come to F1, it is impossible.

"We are talking about 250-300 million Euro [budgets]. It is completely mad. This is what you have. And after you spend 300 million Euro - you get to Sunday and you have to save fuel, you have to save tyres. Next they will want to save overalls..."

HAMILTON/ROSBERG BATTLE A SAVIOUR

Briatore did believe one thing about current F1 was spot on - the way Mercedes was letting Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton battle it out.

"It is good for F1," he said. "It was always about the fight between the drivers, it is good for the people watching TV, and it is good for the spectators.

"There is nothing wrong about the two drivers arguing."