Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner frustrated after dismal Australian Grand Prix
Frustrated Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was left to reflect on "a s****y Sunday" and the fear fans will turn off Formula One after Mercedes' dominationof the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
After winning the constructors' and drivers' titles for four years from 2010-2013, with Sebastian Vettel at the helm, Mercedes have taken up the mantle of F1 powerhouse.
After winning 16 of 19 grands prix in 2014 to claim the constructors' crown, and with Lewis Hamilton clinching his second championship, the start to 2015 was a breeze for Mercedes.
Hamilton beat team-mate Nico Rosberg by 1.3secs, with Vettel third on his debut for Ferrari, but 34.5secs off the pace.
Predicting "a two-horse race at every grand prix this year", Horner has called on the FIA to act to prevent an F1 yawn, and he is fully aware of how his comments will be viewed given Red Bull's past success.
"When we were winning - and we were never winning to the advantage they have - I remember double diffusers were banned, exhausts were moved, flexible bodywork was prohibited, engine mapping mid-season was changed," said Horner of the steps taken to negate his team's performance.
"Anything was done, and that wasn't just unique to Red Bull, but Williams in previous years and McLaren etcetera.
"Is it healthy to have this situation? The FIA, within the rules, have an equalisation mechanism and it is perhaps something we need to look at.
"Mercedes, take nothing away from them, they have done a great job and they have a good car, a fantastic engine, and two very good drivers.
"The problem is the gap is so big you end up with three-tier racing and that's not healthy for Formula One.
"The FIA have the facts and they could quite easily come up with some form of equalisation otherwise I fear the interest will wane.
"I didn't see Mercedes much on the TV, and I can only imagine that's because it's not interesting watching a procession and the producer was looking to pick out other battles in the race."
Referring to the fact Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger conducted the podium ceremony, Horner added: "The highlight for me was seeing Arnie on the podium!"
Horner's comments were borne out of exasperation at the job power-unit supplier Renault have done since the system came into force at the start of last season.
The hope was Renault would have closed the gap to Mercedes over the winter, but instead they appear to have fallen further steps back.
Horner, who saw Daniil Kvyat retire on the formation lap with a gearbox issue, said: "It's been a tough weekend and a very tough weekend for Renault.
"The engine is quite undriveable and you can see and hear that from the comments the drivers are making.
"They need to have a clear vision and they need it quickly because it's frustrating we are effectively further back than we were in Abu Dhabi in both power and driveability.
"It's disappointing and been a s****y Sunday for us. We can only get better and get our heads down and work harder at it."