Former Formula 1 doctor Gary Hartstein has launched a stinging attack on the sport's supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

The tirade on Twitter follows 85-year-old Ecclestone having declared to the Daily Mail that the sport is "the worst it has ever been".

"I wouldn't spend my money to take my family to watch a race. No way," he declared.

Hartstein's relationship with Ecclestone and also the FIA hit rock bottom after he was replaced as F1 doctor and became an outspoken critic.

"I know I'll never get another pass but I don't care," the American declared on Monday.

Ecclestone thinks that F1's problems are caused by the rules and Mercedes's dominance and the fact that many stakeholders are now reluctant to agree change.

Hartstein said: "Note to Bernie: Mercedes power unit has 47pc thermal efficiency. This is a stunning engineering achievement and should be common knowledge.

"Note to Bernie: the sport is loud and sexy and full of drama. It would however appear to be owned and run by petulant spoiled preadolescents.

"We want racing. Not yammering. Not fools cancelling German Italian and French GPs.

"Note to Bernie: you should be able to make next month's rent. Stop sucking the blood from the sport and let it breathe. Listen to the fans.

"The sport is successful despite all of the stupidity/cupidity/narcissism/greed of the powers that be."

The new Formula 1 season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 20.