Jackie Stewart calls today's F1 'too complex'

He also says racing today isn't interesting

Formula One legend and triple world champion Sir Jackie Stewart is glad he raced in the '60s and '70s and not today. "The last time I drove these modern cars was two years ago -- a Williams at Goodwood," he told Brazil's Globo Esporte. "I didn't like it. "Naturally, I would have adapted to it eventually, but I had to first understand all of those buttons on the steering wheel, and then be guided on the radio by the team personnel. "I believe driving the cars today is an immense challenge," said Stewart, "but I don't find it interesting. "I like to drive fast cars, but this F1 is too complex." The cars are just one aspect of Formula One today that Stewart says he would like to change. Another, said the Scot, is the "entertainment package."

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"F1 needs to improve its show," he said. "In Bahrain, if you go behind the grandstands, there is music, dancing, areas for the family. You can eat Arabic food, American food, Indian food. "We have to think more about attracting women and children. Look at football -- today there are almost as many women as there are men. "In the past, a man worked many hours a week, came home and told his wife he is going to the football. Now she can say she is coming along with the children. "F1 has not thought about that," said Stewart, "but I hope the new generation of sponsors see the need." Some blame many of F1's problems on Bernie Ecclestone, the 84-year-old chief executive who is notoriously wary of the age of digital and social media. Stewart said, "Bernie has done more for F1 than anyone has done for any other sport. In football, who could you say has actually changed the sport? "But no one is indispensable, and the next leader of F1 will maybe be even better. "Bernie is fantastic," Stewart emphasized. "Look at the paddock -- it's perfect. And look at what he did for F1 financially. "Bernie will be missed, but he will be replaced."

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FCA seeking new trial in Jeep fire case, calls $150M judgement 'grossly excessive'

FCA seeking new trial in Jeep fire case, calls $150M judgement 'grossly excessive'Brandon Turkus

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is fighting back after a Decatur County, GA jury ordered the company to pay $150 million to the family of a four-year-old boy that was killed after a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee crashed and caught fire. The company is requesting the judge reduce the award, and should Walden's family not agree to the lower sum, that a new trial be held.

The Detroit Free Press reports that FCA would be forced to pay $120 million over the death of young Remington Walden, with an extra $30 million being paid to the boy's family. Neither figure sits well with the automaker, though, which called the fine "grossly excessive," and claimed it was in violation of Georgia state law. The judgment stems from FCA's long-running problem with the fuel tanks of certain Jeep models built in the 1990s and 2000s.

According to the newspaper, FCA argues that the jury was biased after the Waldens' attorneys played on the their passions and pushed for a big award, saying the wrongful death award was 11 times more than any appeals court has ever upheld. FCA said attorneys for the plaintiffs told the jury to base the settlement on Sergio Marchionne's total compensation, $68 million. FCA also claims in its motion that the young boy's suffering was brief.

"A $30-million pain-and-suffering award for what plaintiffs acknowledge was at most one minute of suffering is irrational," the motion, which was obtained by The Detroit Free Press, read. "Where such plainly improper arguments are immediately followed by irrational and stunningly excessive damage awards, there can be no doubt that the jury acted from passion and prejudice."

Jim Butler, the attorney for the Waldens, has called the motion "nonsense," although he said the family will accept whatever figure the judge sets.

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