Vettel tells Ecclestone to make F1 tickets more affordable

Sebastian Vettel has hit back at Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, by telling him to focus on making the sport more affordable.

Recently, Ecclestone criticised the quadruple world champion for "not doing much for F1" as "people hardly recognise him in the street".

Earlier in Canada, German Vettel insisted he is "not too bothered" about Ecclestone's comments, even though the 84-year-old had linked him directly with the demise of the German grand prix.

But the Ferrari driver has now been quoted by the Canadian broadcaster CBC as insisting Ecclestone, the sport's chief executive, has more influence than him.

"I think Bernie, to be honest, is in a position, a much better position to sell a lot more tickets -- for example, make them less expensive," Vettel said.

It is the individual race promoters who sell tickets, but one reason prices are high is that Ecclestone charges organisers up to $50 million a year for the hosting rights.