Bernie Ecclestone

[The Stig]

If you are able to keep your posts reasonably civil, would love to have peoples opinion of the F1 ringmaster. Would Bernie be someone else in motorsport, (Muller ??), who appears to divide opinion into two distinct camps.

Recently read a book, "Bernies Game", which really influenced my opinion of the man himself. Would highly recommend the book to any F1 enthusiasts and indeed anyone with a penchant for the inside track.

I had a definite opinion only enhanced by having read the book.

[bramble]

He made the sport what it is - he's a true entrepreneur. I like him. He made a packet from selling the F1 rights - then bought them back for a fraction of the price!

[Croft fan]

Bernie is the one person behind F1 who has made F1 what it is today. Without him F1 would not be in the same place it is today. The man deserves respect, but then again he gets it because he demands it. Would love to meet him one day, but I dont think that would ever happen.

Might give that book a read, sounds good. Thanks The Stig.

[kevin ritson]

Strangely enough, I find him to be a love/hate figure. He's done great things things for F1 but at the same time damaged other formulas, cheapened the sports' image in some ways (eg: not racing at Spa, Montreal, Zandvoort etc for commercial reasons). Could we have had one without the other? Probably not. However on balance I think he's been a good thing for F1, just not totally sure about motorsport in general and I'm sure there will be others (on what is a BTCC site after all) that will have strong views (didn't he call the BTCC 'Hertz Rent-a-car Racing'?)

[VkmSpouge]

I think Bernie is evil:) He has helped build F1 in to what it is today which on the whole is a good thing despite, as kevin ritson pointed out, getting rid of several of the more exciting tracks. If I was pushed I would have to say I'd like him but there would be an awful lot of pushing required.:D

[Alan]

I met a chap a while ago who knew Bernie from way back, and I mean pre F1. He had a very high opinion of him.

You can't deny that F1 would not be the same without him (and Max of course). Whether that is a good thing is another question of course!!!:p

[VkmSpouge]

I think on the whole their effect on F1 has been a good thing, they have made the series a lot more professional and that wasn't a bad thing *remembers Andrea Moda and tries unsuccessfully to stifle laughter* They have unfortunately,:( slowly moved the fans away from the drivers and I think fans should be allowed some contact with them.

[The Stig]

Not certain if Bernie or Max have made the whole thing elitist and harder to get close to, but it's one thing I cannot understand. F1 is lucky to have enormous financial support from big corporations, it mustn't forget it's absolutely massive fanbase worldwide.

[VkmSpouge]

Absolutely. If the fans stop watching then you bank on the big companies disappearing with their cash. F1 does need to be more fan friendly, even if it is just for a couple of hours on one day of the weekend, where fans are let in.

[Croft fan]

Maybe they could have a autograph session on a Saturday, that would get more people in on a Saturday (as figures are down on Saturday). And with there being nothing the team can do to the cars after quailifying, then the drivers have a bit more time than they did and so I thing it would be a good idea.
If other championships can do then why not F1?

[VkmSpouge]

That certainly would be a good way to give something back to the fans. I can understand why they wouldn't want to anything on the Sunday after all they have to prepare for a race but on Saturday F1 could easily put on something like this for the fans.:)