Today's F1 'is not racing' - Mark Webber
Mark Webber has admitted he is concerned about the road on which F1 has turned.
Ahead of the radically-new turbo V6 era, the Australian veteran called time on his F1 career and switched to the increasingly popular FIA WEC and Le Mans with Porsche.
So as the first season without Webber since 2001 comes to a close this weekend, the popular 38-year-old was asked by Austria's Salzburger Nachrichten to contemplate the highly-anticipated title showdown between Mercedes' two drivers.
It's not the Formula One we were all used to.
Mark Webber
Webber duly gave his answer, but completed his comments with: "I have to say, there are more important things in Formula One at the moment.
"I'm talking about the state ... the prosperity of the entire sport."
A tumultuous time for F1
Indeed, it is a tumultuous time for F1, with backmarkers going out of business and the next-smallest teams fighting viciously over income and power.
Webber thinks the sport also took a sharp turn with its new regulations this year.
"Look at Kimi (Raikkonen)," he said. "This is not racing. If you could drive the cars hard at the limit, he would be there. One fastest lap after the next.
"He's completely frustrated," said Webber, referring to the Finn who has struggled notably alongside Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso in 2014.
"I also found Bernie Ecclestone saying he doesn't need a young audience in Formula One very, very interesting," he added.
Not impressed
F1 will, however, have a 17-year-old on the grid next year. Webber is not impressed.
"I'm not sure if people want to pay 400 euros for a ticket to watch a seventeen year old," he said.
"We've had other cases, like Fernando or Kimi, but these were very special cases and the cars back then were much more difficult to drive, especially physically. The probability of failure was much greater.
"Now it's almost embarrassing when an F1 car comes out of the pits. It's like a slightly stronger GP2; it's not the Formula One we were all used to," said Webber.
Not missing F1
He said he does not particularly miss the highest category of open-wheeler racing.
"It's been a few months since I watched an entire race on TV," Webber admitted.
"After Brazil I was in a car listening to the radio, and 85 per cent of what they were talking about was the tyres. It's frustrating not only for the drivers but for the fans.
"DRS is embarrassing," he added. "It's so different to the mid-2000s. I think the development of the last three or four years did the fans no favours.
"Four pitstops, what's that about? And these pay drivers - we should have absolutely the best drivers in F1, but some guys who do belong there can't even afford the 400,000 euros they need for a single test day," Webber said.
Bianchi family statement: Jules now breathing 'unaided'
Jules Bianchi Transferred to France: Family Release First Positive News
The historic clues that offer hints of Hamilton’s next move
OPINION: Uncertainty over Lewis Hamilton's future has persisted since the race direction call that denied him an eighth world title in Abu Dhabi last month. But while walking away would be understandable, Hamilton has time and again responded well in the face of adversity and possesses all the tools needed to bounce back stronger than ever
What the FIA must do to restore F1's credibility
OPINION: The first stage of the 2022 Formula 1 pre-season is just over a month away, but the championship is still reeling from the controversial results of last year’s finale. The FIA acknowledges F1 has had its reputation dented as a result, so here’s how it could go about putting things right
The six subplots to watch in 2022 as a new F1 era begins
As Formula 1 prepares to begin a new era of technical regulations in 2022, We pick out six other key elements to follow this season
Why newly-retired Kimi Raikkonen won't miss F1
After 349 grand prix starts, 46 fastest laps, 21 wins and one world championship, Kimi Raikkonen has finally called time on his F1 career. In an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com on the eve of his final race, he explains his loathing of paddock politics and reflects on how motorsport has changed over the past two decades.
Unpacking the technical changes behind F1 2022's rules shake-up
Formula 1 cars will look very different this year as the long-awaited fresh rules finally arrive with the stated aim of improving its quality of racing. We break down what the return of 'ground effect' aerodynamics - and a flurry of other changes besides - means for the teams, and what fans can expect
Why F1's new era is still dogged by its old world problems
OPINION: The 2022 Formula 1 season is just weeks away from getting underway, but instead of focusing on what is to come, the attention still remains on what has been – not least the Abu Dhabi title decider controversy. That, plus other key talking points, must be resolved to allow the series to warmly welcome in its new era
The Schumacher trait that will give Haas hope in F1 2022
Mick Schumacher’s knack of improving during his second season in a championship was a trademark of his junior formula career, so his progress during his rookie Formula 1 campaign with Haas was encouraging. His target now will be to turn that improvement into results as the team hopes to reap the rewards of sacrificing development in 2021
The “glorified taxi” driver central to F1’s continued safety push
As the driver of Formula 1’s medical car, Alan van der Merwe’s job is to wait – and hope his skills aren’t needed. James Newbold hears from F1’s lesser-known stalwart.