Ecclestone reveals what he misses most about working in F1
General
- GPblog.com
Bernie Ecclestone has a great history with Formula One. The 90-year-old Brit was the CEO of Formula 1 for a long time, but retired from the sport in 2017. In the more than 40 years that Ecclestone was in charge of Formula 1, a lot has happened and changed within the sport, with champions coming and going. He lookED back in an interview with GQ Magazine on his time as a leader in F1.
"My secret is my handshake. People know they can trust me to get the best for everyone. People talk a lot, but it is always better to do something, rather than just talk about it. If you say you are going to do something, do it. It really irritates me when people say they are going to do something, only to not do it," Ecclestone explained. He has made friends and enemies in the F1 paddock.
Ecclestone misses negotiating in F1
Ecclestone also made good friends during his time as F1 CEO. In his early years, he looked up to certain figures at the top of motorsport. "Enzo Ferrari was very special and helped me a lot. He taught me that the sport is on the table and the business is under the table. Formula 1 is Ferrari and Ferrari is Formula 1, it's as simple as that. I also learned a lot from Colin Chapman. He was brilliant and also very fast."
Ecclestone left the sport a few years ago now and the former-owner of Brabham revealed what he misses most. "I do miss it, especially doing deals with the organisers of some of the events and circuits. Some of them wouldn't have happened if we hadn't helped. I also miss the deals with the big sponsors. I still watch the races and every now and then people ask for my advice," concluded Ecclestone.