Flavio Briatore, who for two decades presided over often title-winning success on the Formula 1 pitwall, says he is now only an occasional viewer of grands prix.
"On Sunday I watched the (Bahrain) race for ten minutes and then did something else," the Italian told Rai radio earlier this week. "They spend (EUR) 300 million but then have to restrict their drivers in the races."
Briatore said F1 drivers should instead be able to do "60 qualifying laps" on Sundays rather than worry about saving fuel and tyres.
The nature of the rules is a topic even today's F1 insiders are now furiously studying, as new sponsors are reluctant to invest and audiences wane.
"In formula one there is now a lot of technology but people have noticed there is no longer real racing," said Briatore.
Even those who had the power to veto the new power unit era, namely former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, admits it was a mistake not to do so.
"Hybrid engines are the future," he told La Repubblica newspaper. "But with hindsight, yes, it would have been better to oppose. What I see is an F1 that, while remaining an extraordinary spectacle, is losing market share."
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