Bernie Ecclestone insists there is no crisis in Formula One despite savage criticism of the season-opening Grand Prix in Bahrain last weekend.

Seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher is one of several high-profile dissenting voices after he questioned the new rule changes following his return to competitive action.

Schumacher finished sixth before claimed overtaking in Bahrain was 'basically impossible' following the refuelling ban brought in this year.

He also queried the wisdom of forcing drivers to begin races on the same set of tyres they finished qualifying with.

However, a bullish Ecclestone has rejected suggestions that the first race of 2010 was decidedly underwhelming.

"There is no panic, no crisis for F1," the sport's rights holder told The Times.

"I think there is nothing we can do immediately and we should not just knee-jerk into changes.

"I had a meeting with the teams and tried to explain to them what our business is about – racing and entertaining the public, not about playing with computers and going fast over one lap.

"The problem is that you cannot really have teams in any shape or form having a part in the sporting or technical regulations.

"You cannot have the inmates writing the regulations."

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