Ex-Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has thrust himself into the media spotlight with a range of controversial comments ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.
This week has already seen three-time F1 champion Nelson Piquet banned from the paddock over a racist remark he made towards Lewis Hamilton last year that resurfaced on social media.
And just before that story emerged, Ecclestone was having his own dig at the seven-time world champion over his place at Mercedes and his fashion sense.
“Lewis might sell his seat to Toto [Wolff, Mercedes team boss],” the old boomer told the Daily Mail.
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“‘This is how much I am getting, I’ll step down and give me half of what I would get’ – Toto can go and do one of his magic deals, offer someone less money, and keep £20m.
“Nobody needs to tell Toto this because he has already thought of it. Lewis would probably stop under those circumstances.
“I also don’t know what he is doing dressing up in all those funny clothes. Has he a deal to it? Is it to get noticed? Maybe that’s it.”
Ecclestone would praise George Russell for his “excellent job” so far this season but wondered if his advantage over Hamilton was due to the Briton not trying.
“Toto is getting a bit fed up with Lewis. I don’t think he’s trying, do you?” he suggested.
“Let’s put it another way, Lewis doesn’t seem bothered about losing.
“It’s not like him. He has a competitive nature but he’s taking losing a bit easy for my liking.
“I don’t think he is actively helping George. I don’t think he’s doing anything. I don’t think he cares too much. He’s not prepared to put the effort into winning that he did.”
Then on Thursday, the 91-year-old appeared on Good Morning Britain, reaffirming his admiration of Russian President Vladimir Putin and supporting his decision to invade Ukraine.
“I’d still take a bullet for him,” Bernie said.
“I’d rather it didn’t hurt but I’d still take a bullet because he is a first-class person and what he is doing is something he believes is the right thing, he’s doing for Russia.
“Unfortunately he is like a lot of business people, certainly like me, we make mistakes from time to time and when you make mistakes you have to do the best you can to get out of it.”
Ecclestone then appeared to blame Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the war, claiming he could have “absolutely” done more to avoid it.
That interview triggered a response from F1, who distanced themselves from the long-time CEO.
“The comments made by Bernie Ecclestone are his personal views and are in very stark contrast to the position of the modern values of our sport,” a statement read.
After all the controversy, F1 fans no doubt hope the on-track action at Silverstone will be what this weekend is remembered for.
