For four decades, Bernie Ecclestone was firmly in control of Formula 1. Liberty Media took over in 2017. Last week Ecclestone made some loaded statements about the current social discussion and the role of Formula 1 in this.
Among other things, the British shouted that black people were generally more racist than whites, followed by a storm of criticism. Lewis Hamilton spoke disgrace and Formula 1 immediately distanced himself from the statements of the former boss. Current Formula 1 bosses are reportedly considering banning Ecclestone from the Formula 1 paddock.
The latter shot Ecclestone in the wrong throat, he says in conversation with Daily Mail. “Banned me? I wouldn’t advise them. They should try that at the Russian Grand Prix, but I think I can get around it”, he says, referring to the fact that he is good friends with Russian President Putin.
Current Formula 1 bosses also emphasized that Ecclestone is no longer involved in the sport in any way, something that the 89-year-old former boss doesn’t mind. “Fortunately, then all those things that they have not done cannot be attributed to me.”
“Suddenly they jumped on top of the racism debate because of the events in the United States and Chase (Carey, the current Formula 1 boss, ed.) Put in a million euros of his own money, which is perhaps just enough money to send an engineer to bring the karting classes. “
“Maybe Carey should focus a bit more on what the shareholders want. The corona virus worked to his advantage, because it allowed him to put everything he couldn’t achieve,” said Ecclestone’s piquant words.
Ecclestone also wants to get involved again in the racism debate. He defends his statements and emphasizes that he has absolutely nothing against black people. “I’ve met a lot of white people I don’t like, but never a black person I don’t like!”
“I don’t see Lewis as a black person either, for me he is just Lewis. If you suddenly see all those protests, and ask people what they are protesting for, most probably don’t even know. It’s not my mistake that I’m white, or a little shorter than the average man. That also made me nicknames at school, “said Ecclestone, who says we’ll probably see him back in the paddock very soon.
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Will we have the titanic battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton? Can we even smooth out Ferrari? These and other questions are discussed in detail in the latest podcast of RacingNews365 with F1 journalist Ruud Dimmers, race car driver Tom Coronel and host Thomas van Groningen, which can be heard below.
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