The 463-word letter, almost unprecedented in its nature, is signed off by Britain’s Jenson Button and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel and comes only days after red-faced bosses agreed to ditch the sport’s elimination-style qualifying format which made its dreadful debut at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
“We feel that some recent rule changes – on both the sporting and technical side, and including some business directions – are disruptive, do not address the bigger issues our sport is facing and in some cases could jeopardise its future success,” the letter read.
“The drivers have come to the conclusion that the decision-making process in the sport is obsolete and ill-structured and prevents progress being made.
“Indeed, it can sometimes lead to just the opposite, a gridlock. This reflects negatively on our sport, prevents it being fit for the next generation of fans and compromises further global growth.
“We would like to request and urge the owners and all stakeholders of Formula One to consider restructuring its own governance.
“The future directions and decisions of F1, be they short or long-term, sporting, technical or business-orientated, should be based on a clear master plan. Such plan should reflect the principles and core values of Formula One.”
Less than 24 hours later, Formula One’s chief executive Ecclestone, 85, issued his retort in which he urged CVC, Formula One’s owners, as well as its stakeholders to consider an overhaul to how the sport is ruled.
In a letter seen by the BBC, and which has subsequently appeared on social media, Ecclestone wrote: “It is not always easy to agree with you but you are correct in stating that the decision-making process in the sport is obsolete and ill-structured.
“We must, as you have stated, urge the owners and all the stakeholders of Formula One to consider restructuring its own governance.
“It is easy to analyse what is wrong, so why not think and come back on this?
“At least, it is better to think before you wish.”
Channel 4’s time in the sport looks set to be short-lived, meanwhile, with Sky agreeing a six-year contract to be the exclusive rights-holder in the UK.
While Sky has said that the British Grand Prix, as well as highlights of the other races, will be shown on a “free-to-air” basis, the news is likely to come as a huge blow to the millions of fans who watch the sport on terrestrial TV.