In an interview with the British TV channel “ITV” on Thursday, the 91-year-old praised Russia’s ruler Vladimir Putin and sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The official representatives of Formula 1 immediately distanced themselves.
Ecclestone claimed that Putin was a “first-rate person,” adding that he would “take a bullet anytime” for the Russian president. When the moderator asked him about the death of “thousands of innocent Ukrainians and many Russian soldiers”, the Englishman replied: “That was not intentional.” Ecclestone also said of Putin: “He is doing what he believes is best for Russia.” Putin said the war in Ukraine was “not intentional”.
Formula 1 strives for differentiation
Ecclestone’s comments about Selenskyj, whom he did not name, were less friendly. “The other person in Ukraine: He used to be a comedian, I heard, and I think he seems to want to continue in that profession. Because if he had thought more, he should have made more effort to talk to Putin. He is a reasonable person, would have listened and probably done something.” When asked if Ecclestone believed Zelenskyy could have prevented the war, Ecclestone said: “Absolutely.”
An official statement from Formula 1 followed immediately: “Bernie Ecclestone’s statements are his personal opinion. This opinion is in stark contrast to the modern values of Formula 1,” the statement said.
Source: Nachrichten
