F1 Chief Bernie Ecclestone Expresses Admiration for Adolf Hitler

Bernie Ecclestone

Is the cracked pot showing new cracks?

AUTO CENTRAL - July 5, 2009: In an interview this weekend with the London Times, Bernie Ecclestone (president and CEO of Formula One Management) praised Adolf Hitler for getting things done, despite the atrocities committed by the Germans and Nazis, for which, Ecclestone believes, Hitler may not have been personally responsible for.

Ecclestone goes on to bemoan the demise of Saddam Hussein, excusing Hussein’s atrocities by saying, “He was the only one who could control that country.” The only chestnut left out by Ecclestone is the often used facetious barb about Italian dictator Mussolini, “At least he made the trains run on time.”

Ecclestone’s remarks were apparently brought on by a row that is taking place within the F1 racing world and are intended to explain his (Ecclestone’s) view of the need for strong leadership. Fed up with the strong arm tactics of FIA (the motor sports governing body) and its president Max Mosley, several Formula One teams have decided to breakaway and start a rival series next year. Ecclestone, Mosley, Formula One Management and FIA are virtually inseparable, having a long interlocking relationship history. Any challenge to FIA dominance would be a blow to Ecclestone and his organization.

Max Mosley, coincidently, is the son of Oswald Mosley, the former leader of the British Nazi Party who championed Adolf Hitler and the German Nazi government in the years before the start of World War II.

While Ecclestone’s comments about Hitler defy historical accuracy, they do explain Ecclestone’s tyrannical, unapologetic style of business that he’s become famous for. The comments are very much of the “Let them eat cake” variety.

To read the full text of the Times article visit
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/formula_1/article6633340.ece