Liberty are turning F1 into a 'Mickey Mouse series'

Michael Schumacher's former manager, Willi Weber, has lamented some of the changes which have been implemented by the year-long owners of the sport, Liberty Media, and has suggested the American organisation are turning the sport into a 'Mickey Mouse series' compared to previous years.

Liberty have been in charge of F1 for just over a year now, and have polarised opinion in their tenure so far. The company, alongside the FIA, have introduced the new halo safety device to cars which has been criticised for making cars 'ugly' whilst also decreasing the vision of drivers and have also ditched the tradition of 'grid girls' - the female models who previously accompanied drivers to the paddock.

Weber, it seems, is not a fan of the alterations.

"This ugly roll bar (Halo) ruins the cars," he said.

"Safety is important, but that was a mistake by [FIA President] Jean Todt.

"That there are no more grid girls is also a sin. They provided the necessary glamour. The new owners have to be careful not to turn formula one into a Mickey Mouse series."

Weber is currently recovering from a back operation, and revealed that he is eager for an update on Schumacher's recuperation from a life-threatening skiing accident suffered a few years ago.

"Unfortunately I have not heard from Corinna. Michael's accident is four years ago now and we all know it was not a broken leg."

A showcase of the seven-time world champion's cars is to open in Cologne in April, and Weber hopes that if he attends there could be some news to be shared.

"Maybe then we will learn if he is feeling better"