Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has insisted the sport is not in crisis despite the new rules, and asked people not to panic.

There are fears that what was billed as a blockbuster season with four world champions fighting for the title will turn out to be a flop.

"There's no panic or crisis. There's nothing we can do immediately, we should not knee-jerk into changes," The Sun quoted Ecclestone, as saying.

"We're involved in four flyaway races now so let's see how the teams adapt and look at it again after China."

"The first race with new rules was always going to be a learning curve," Ecclestone added.

The ban on refuelling could turn races into a start-to-finish procession Ecclestone said: "I've explained to teams our business is about racing and entertaining." (ANI)