Sebastian Vettel lacks "charisma", his friend Bernie Ecclestone has acknowledged.
But the F1 chief executive, who plays backgammon with the 25-year-old reigning world champion at grands prix, doesn’t blame the sport’s latest crop of stars.
"He (Vettel) lacks a little charisma," Briton Ecclestone, 82, told Bild newspaper, as Vettel looks set to match the achievement of greats Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher with his third consecutive drivers’ crown.
"Guys like Hunt, Rindt, Lauda, Senna were real characters, but they can’t be like that anymore because they are protected by the team bosses far too much. Now the FIA gives them a muzzle," said Ecclestone.
"They’re not even allowed to show their emotions," he exclaimed.