Post by QPR Report on May 24, 2009 6:25:32 GMT
Hmmm! New version
Bernie Ecclestone Interviewed
... What about your interests in football?
Yes I persuaded Flavio Briatore to join me and put some money into buying Queens Park Rangers, the old and long-established club that had fallen on hard times. I had a look at buying Chelsea - but it was too complicated an issue and needed far too much effort to sort out the books. Liverpool,too, and Manchestyer United were considerations, too, but in the end I figured I lived too far away ... 200 or so miles ... to buy into teams so distant from my home in London. I didn't fancy the idea of traipsing up and down the country on top of all the travelling I do on F1 business.[/b]
When I approached Flavio with the proposal he thought it was a restaurant we'd be buying! No kidding. But he was just as excited as me when I told him it was a football team.
I have since become a friend of Roman Abramovich who took up where I left off and bought Chelsea. And I often share his box at Stamford Bridge or fly off in my own plane to watch them when they are playing overseas. I must say I never would have believed it, but I am real big soccer fan now. I used to say that if the two greatest teams in the world were playing in my back garden I wouldn't be bothered to watch them. Not now. I'm hooked on the game....
Complete Interview
Gulf News Motor Racing
'I'm happy to enjoy the rewards of a good job'
By Ted Macauley, Special to Gulf News
Published: May 23, 2009,
London: Bernie Ecclestone sits on the top deck behind the blacked-out windows of his mobile HQ, isolated by his power and privilege, in the Monaco Grand Prix paddock, surveying the scene from the travelling power base of his Formula One empire.
It has been a fraught last few weeks, what with his divorce from his wife Slavica and the machinations of F1's power brokers, Ferrari in particular, looking to defy the proposed budget-cap and any rule change, and the to-ing and fro-ing over the future of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Gulf News: How do you see yourself?
Ecclestone: I know I am regarded as a hard and uncaring guy, and that I am driven by money - but a lot of people in F1 are multi-millionaires because of my attitude to business and the sport. And they should be thankful for the stances I have taken, not always popular, over the years to give F1 its worldwide success. Sure, I have benefited, but so have the teams.
And that includes Ferrari whom right now are being idiotic in their stand against the proposed cost capping and then rule changes which to my mind all benefit the sport and the spectacle.
You have been reviled because of your unyielding and unbending position over Silverstone, the old wartime venue for the British Grand Prix and its annual pilgrimage of 200,000 petrol heads. What do you want to happen?
I am fed up of it being like a Gentlemen's Club, all blazers and old-fashioned notions locked in outdated tradition. I'd like to see it uprated and updated and its facilities fit for the fans like they have done in Bahrain and will do at Abu Dhabi, two tracks that have been only too eager to please and make sure the spectators get their money's worth.
Not only that, they have been absolutely brilliant and done everything I have asked without demur. Unlike Silverstone who have dragged their feet for years and deserve to lose the race. The public should not forget, it is their interests I have at heart.
What is your overall feeling about the people who run it, The British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) ?
They are living in a time warp. The BRDC is overseen by old-fashioned, struck-in-a-rut members who have failed to come up to the mark I have set for the circuit. The race has reminded not of a midsummer Grand Prix, but a second-rate village fete run by clubby toffs. They were mad not take all my proposals on board when I first mooted them years ago. I guess they never dreamed they could ever lose the Grand Prix. Well, now they know.
I know you refuse to budge on your almost obsessive high standards which not only apply to F1 but to your immaculate office in London overlooking Hyde Park, and your staff and to your private life. Do you have any examples of how you regulate it all?
I often put in 12-14 hours a day at the office. I fly around the world in my own jet, not for fun, but as the frontman for F1 with great responsibility. And I don't dodge the hard work. Never have. Never will. And anybody in my orbit who does get the rough end of my treatment. For instance, I once fitted short-run time switches on the lights in the lavatory outside my office when I found that workmen were spending too much time in there doing crosswords or reading the horse race pages and writing bets for the bookies. They were slacking, dodging work and costing me time and money. I won't have that. And I like a tidy office, too. I won't have my staff drying their wet clothes off on the radiators when they come in out of the rain.
How do you view your life?
I am devoted to this job, it gives me enormous pleasure and, more importantly, professional satisfaction. That may have cost me my marriage, but it is the way I am and I can't change that. Not that I would want to. Sure, it pays me good money. It is common knowledge from the Rich List published in the UK that I am a double billionaire. I have my own jet, a nice yacht, a hotel I own in Switzerland and a lovely lifestyle. But I pay all my taxes. I don't dodge anything and I expect other people to share my honesty and my sense of purpose. There are a lot of rich guys - and grateful wives - out there who are wealthy because of my efforts for this sport.
I don't want knighthoods from the British government or medals or awards or statues put up in my memory - look what pigeons do on them - I am happy to enjoy the rewards of doing a good job and having the appreciation of the people I work hard to try to please ... those people who made good money to go to a GrandPrix wherever it is in the world.
What about your interests in football?
Yes, I persuaded Flavio Briatore to join me and put some money into buying Queens Park Rangers, the old and long-established club that had fallen on hard times. I had a look at buying Chelsea - but it was too complicated an issue and needed far too much effort to sort out the books. Liverpool,too, and Manchestyer United were considerations, too, but in the end I figured I lived too far away ... 200 or so miles ... to buy into teams so distant from my home in London. I didn't fancy the idea of traipsing up and down the country on top of all the travelling I do on F1 business.
When I approached Flavio with the proposal he thought it was a restaurant we'd be buying! No kidding. But he was just as excited as me when I told him it was a football team.
I have since become a friend of Roman Abramovich who took up where I left off and bought Chelsea. And I often share his box at Stamford Bridge or fly off in my own plane to watch them when they are playing overseas. I must say I never would have believed it, but I am real big soccer fan now. I used to say that if the two greatest teams in the world were playing in my back garden I wouldn't be bothered to watch them. Not now. I'm hooked on the game.
What about big stars?
Well, Michael Schumacher, of course, was a superstar. Probably the greatest driver of all time and a professional of admirable devotion. Not the most charismatic, but a hero to millions just the same. I think that when McLaren get their car right and their support for Lewis Hamilton on song, he is another massive star and multi-champion in the making. And he has the right level of talent and charisma to attract a world of support. He is a gifted boy.
Talking about superstars. What about David Beckham? He's a dream, a fantastic attraction all lover the globe. Even now towards the close of his career. And as for his ability to generate vast monies and sponsorships ... wow ... I just wish he could drive a Formula One car.
What about retirement plans?
I just want to work until I draw my last breath. I'm 78 now, I've had a heart by-pass operation and I feel good and fit. But I will never, ever retire. You will only be sure that I have quit when I am being lowered into my grave."
- The writer is a motorsport expert based in England
RAVINDRANATH/Gulf News archive
Loving what he does
Bernie Ecclestone says he is always prepared to work 12-14 hours a day and gets enormous pleasure and professional satisfaction from what he does. He plans to never retire.
www.gulfnews.com/sport/Motor_Racing/10316330.html
Bernie Ecclestone Interviewed
... What about your interests in football?
Yes I persuaded Flavio Briatore to join me and put some money into buying Queens Park Rangers, the old and long-established club that had fallen on hard times. I had a look at buying Chelsea - but it was too complicated an issue and needed far too much effort to sort out the books. Liverpool,too, and Manchestyer United were considerations, too, but in the end I figured I lived too far away ... 200 or so miles ... to buy into teams so distant from my home in London. I didn't fancy the idea of traipsing up and down the country on top of all the travelling I do on F1 business.[/b]
When I approached Flavio with the proposal he thought it was a restaurant we'd be buying! No kidding. But he was just as excited as me when I told him it was a football team.
I have since become a friend of Roman Abramovich who took up where I left off and bought Chelsea. And I often share his box at Stamford Bridge or fly off in my own plane to watch them when they are playing overseas. I must say I never would have believed it, but I am real big soccer fan now. I used to say that if the two greatest teams in the world were playing in my back garden I wouldn't be bothered to watch them. Not now. I'm hooked on the game....
Complete Interview
Gulf News Motor Racing
'I'm happy to enjoy the rewards of a good job'
By Ted Macauley, Special to Gulf News
Published: May 23, 2009,
London: Bernie Ecclestone sits on the top deck behind the blacked-out windows of his mobile HQ, isolated by his power and privilege, in the Monaco Grand Prix paddock, surveying the scene from the travelling power base of his Formula One empire.
It has been a fraught last few weeks, what with his divorce from his wife Slavica and the machinations of F1's power brokers, Ferrari in particular, looking to defy the proposed budget-cap and any rule change, and the to-ing and fro-ing over the future of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Gulf News: How do you see yourself?
Ecclestone: I know I am regarded as a hard and uncaring guy, and that I am driven by money - but a lot of people in F1 are multi-millionaires because of my attitude to business and the sport. And they should be thankful for the stances I have taken, not always popular, over the years to give F1 its worldwide success. Sure, I have benefited, but so have the teams.
And that includes Ferrari whom right now are being idiotic in their stand against the proposed cost capping and then rule changes which to my mind all benefit the sport and the spectacle.
You have been reviled because of your unyielding and unbending position over Silverstone, the old wartime venue for the British Grand Prix and its annual pilgrimage of 200,000 petrol heads. What do you want to happen?
I am fed up of it being like a Gentlemen's Club, all blazers and old-fashioned notions locked in outdated tradition. I'd like to see it uprated and updated and its facilities fit for the fans like they have done in Bahrain and will do at Abu Dhabi, two tracks that have been only too eager to please and make sure the spectators get their money's worth.
Not only that, they have been absolutely brilliant and done everything I have asked without demur. Unlike Silverstone who have dragged their feet for years and deserve to lose the race. The public should not forget, it is their interests I have at heart.
What is your overall feeling about the people who run it, The British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) ?
They are living in a time warp. The BRDC is overseen by old-fashioned, struck-in-a-rut members who have failed to come up to the mark I have set for the circuit. The race has reminded not of a midsummer Grand Prix, but a second-rate village fete run by clubby toffs. They were mad not take all my proposals on board when I first mooted them years ago. I guess they never dreamed they could ever lose the Grand Prix. Well, now they know.
I know you refuse to budge on your almost obsessive high standards which not only apply to F1 but to your immaculate office in London overlooking Hyde Park, and your staff and to your private life. Do you have any examples of how you regulate it all?
I often put in 12-14 hours a day at the office. I fly around the world in my own jet, not for fun, but as the frontman for F1 with great responsibility. And I don't dodge the hard work. Never have. Never will. And anybody in my orbit who does get the rough end of my treatment. For instance, I once fitted short-run time switches on the lights in the lavatory outside my office when I found that workmen were spending too much time in there doing crosswords or reading the horse race pages and writing bets for the bookies. They were slacking, dodging work and costing me time and money. I won't have that. And I like a tidy office, too. I won't have my staff drying their wet clothes off on the radiators when they come in out of the rain.
How do you view your life?
I am devoted to this job, it gives me enormous pleasure and, more importantly, professional satisfaction. That may have cost me my marriage, but it is the way I am and I can't change that. Not that I would want to. Sure, it pays me good money. It is common knowledge from the Rich List published in the UK that I am a double billionaire. I have my own jet, a nice yacht, a hotel I own in Switzerland and a lovely lifestyle. But I pay all my taxes. I don't dodge anything and I expect other people to share my honesty and my sense of purpose. There are a lot of rich guys - and grateful wives - out there who are wealthy because of my efforts for this sport.
I don't want knighthoods from the British government or medals or awards or statues put up in my memory - look what pigeons do on them - I am happy to enjoy the rewards of doing a good job and having the appreciation of the people I work hard to try to please ... those people who made good money to go to a GrandPrix wherever it is in the world.
What about your interests in football?
Yes, I persuaded Flavio Briatore to join me and put some money into buying Queens Park Rangers, the old and long-established club that had fallen on hard times. I had a look at buying Chelsea - but it was too complicated an issue and needed far too much effort to sort out the books. Liverpool,too, and Manchestyer United were considerations, too, but in the end I figured I lived too far away ... 200 or so miles ... to buy into teams so distant from my home in London. I didn't fancy the idea of traipsing up and down the country on top of all the travelling I do on F1 business.
When I approached Flavio with the proposal he thought it was a restaurant we'd be buying! No kidding. But he was just as excited as me when I told him it was a football team.
I have since become a friend of Roman Abramovich who took up where I left off and bought Chelsea. And I often share his box at Stamford Bridge or fly off in my own plane to watch them when they are playing overseas. I must say I never would have believed it, but I am real big soccer fan now. I used to say that if the two greatest teams in the world were playing in my back garden I wouldn't be bothered to watch them. Not now. I'm hooked on the game.
What about big stars?
Well, Michael Schumacher, of course, was a superstar. Probably the greatest driver of all time and a professional of admirable devotion. Not the most charismatic, but a hero to millions just the same. I think that when McLaren get their car right and their support for Lewis Hamilton on song, he is another massive star and multi-champion in the making. And he has the right level of talent and charisma to attract a world of support. He is a gifted boy.
Talking about superstars. What about David Beckham? He's a dream, a fantastic attraction all lover the globe. Even now towards the close of his career. And as for his ability to generate vast monies and sponsorships ... wow ... I just wish he could drive a Formula One car.
What about retirement plans?
I just want to work until I draw my last breath. I'm 78 now, I've had a heart by-pass operation and I feel good and fit. But I will never, ever retire. You will only be sure that I have quit when I am being lowered into my grave."
- The writer is a motorsport expert based in England
RAVINDRANATH/Gulf News archive
Loving what he does
Bernie Ecclestone says he is always prepared to work 12-14 hours a day and gets enormous pleasure and professional satisfaction from what he does. He plans to never retire.
www.gulfnews.com/sport/Motor_Racing/10316330.html