Latest Formula One Gossip: Bernie Ecclestone blames Max Mosley for ‘crippled’ new F1 teams
The CEO and commercial rights holder of the multimillion dollar motorsport - more specifically known as Formula One – Bernie Ecclestone, believes that the former president of the FIA, Max Mosley, is to blame for the struggles faced
by the three teams that emerged in the Formula One constructors’ line-up for the 2010 season.
The revelation was rather contradictory in nature. Ecclestone recently bashed the poor show by the three newcomers Hispania Racing (HRT), Virgin F1 and Lotus. Dubbing it as ‘an embarrassment’ and labelling them as ‘cripples’ that
find themselves making a leap into the Formula One mainstream oblivious to the struggles that awaited them – neither team managed to score even a single point this term – ‘do nothing for us’ being Ecclestone’s remarks on the mathematical figures. While Ecclestone
has been known for his bluntness in press, in this case, however, these remarks failed to reflect the diplomatic front that the CEO of a sport should take – they were direct assaults.
However, while straightforwardness could be described as ‘pulling an Ecclestone’ in the business, contradiction isn’t that far from the unique traits the 80-year-old displays. Ecclestone has apparently had a change of view, at
least for now.
“As for the new teams, their problems weren’t their fault in all fairness, it was really Max Mosley’s fault, telling them they could come in and be contenders for £30 million – but they’re here now and, provided they don’t walk
around with begging bowls, it’s good to have them.”
Those were the exact, and conversationally speaking, the ‘current’ views of Mr. Formula One – a man currently recovering from a ‘brutal’ mugging incident and a black eye to boot. Could the mugging be categorized as a life-changing
experience for the 80-year-old? Has the head injury inadvertently tapped a hidden source of ancient wisdom that has enabled him to see things in a completely new light?
Whatever the cause of the 180 degree, it doesn’t paint a good picture for the former president. To add insult to injury, Ecclestone was rather quick to praise the work already done by Mosley’s replacement at the FIA, former team
principal of the Ferrari F1 team Jean Todt.
“Jean is a completely different animal to Max. I had dinner with him the other night and we were talking about it – he’s visited 51 countries this year, so he’s been on the road a bit. In fairness, he’s left F1 to get on with it,
which is good.”
Whether the change of heart are the views of a man who has turned over a new leaf in life or yet another devious ploy of a businessman looking to market his product for the future is a decision that we’d rather leave to your subjective
view.
The views of the writer are independent in nature.
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