Former Chief Executive of Formula One, Bernie Ecclestone, defends the Russian GP whilst labelling Putin as “very honourable” in a revealing interview.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has dominated the headlines this week, with president Putin receiving almost unanimous condemnation worldwide. Given the rising tensions, it was unsurprising when it was announced that the Russian GP, due to take place in September, would be cancelled.
In an interview with Radio Times about the current situation and the cancellation of the race, Ecclestone (ex-F1 chief) had plenty to say on the matter.
“It’s not going to make any difference if there’s a race in Russia, a Formula One race in Russia, to anything else that’s happening in the world.”
The interviewer noted a comment made by reigning champion Max Verstappen in which he explicitly condemned a race in a country in active war. When asked if the race could go ahead without him, Ecclestone was quick to say “Yes of course it can, he’s one person in the event”.
Having been previously quoted as saying “if someone wanted to shoot Vladimir Putin, I’d stand in front of him. He’s a good guy”, his continued defence of Putin was inevitable.
His interpretation of the current events is that “[Putin] didn’t want NATO to occupy or be part in the country which [Russia is] allegedly invading”.
“As a person I found him very straightforward and honourable, did exactly what he said he was going to do without any arguments”.
The interviewer raised a very significant point when she questioned: “Is it not the case that sports events should not take place in countries that don’t play by the rules and certainly rules of international law”. Taking this stance into consideration, some may argue other controversial host countries (China, Saudi Arabia etc.) should be axed due to their own human rights issues.
Find the full interview below: