Former Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill has launched a scathing attack on the two leading constructors, Mercedes and Ferrari, stating his belief that 'the sooner the two leave, the better', and also claiming that their inteference is 'ruining the sport'.
In the past year Ferrari have been vocal regarding their skepticism for the future of F1 under new owners Liberty Media, while Mercedes have also been in opposition to a number of the sweeping changes that have been implemented and are in the pipeline.
Liberty appear desperate to close the gap between the front runners and the rest of the grid, while Ferrari and Mercedes would prefer the status quo to be retained, despite fans complaining about a lack of competitiveness.
The debate around prize money split and voting on regulatory issues is up for discussion once again, and the two giants have issued threats about throwing support around a breakaway version of F1.
And Hill, who is regularly outspoken, took to Twitter to say:
The sooner @MercedesAMGF1 and @ScuderiaFerrari breakaway the better as far as I’m concerned. These massive industrial complexes are ruining the sport. They don’t want to play. They want it all, and all the time. The @fia have lost grip of @F1 @SkySportsF1 #f1 https://t.co/d6pS3K6DlJ — Damon Hill (@HillF1) March 24, 2018
Mercedes attempted a direct response, alluding to Hill's past as a dominant force with Williams, perhaps in jest.
‘Massive industrial complexes ruining the sport.’ We don’t remember you complaining when you were winning all those races with top of the line Renault-power, Damon ???? — Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) March 24, 2018
But this message only riled Hill further, who had the last word on the matter.
Er....I was in a @WilliamsRacing Those disgusting garagiste upstarts. Remember? And actually, I was acutely embarrassed that I won so much. Shame on me #f1 https://t.co/STQdJpU1My — Damon Hill (@HillF1) March 24, 2018


