Bernie Ecclestone: "Putin does a lot for his country and for world peace"

Published on 03 May 2017 10:05

By: Rik Klein Entink

Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone says the best thing about the sport's new era is that there is finally a fight at the front.

Invited as a guest of the respective promoters, despite only now having a hands-off role, the 86-year-old was present in both Bahrain and Russia recently.

He credits the success of the Sochi race to controversial Russian president Vladimir Putin.

"I remember when I first came here and I was discouraged," the Izestia news agency quotes Ecclestone as saying.

"I was not completely sure Russia would be able to build such a great track, but I relaxed after the guarantees given to me by Vladimir Putin. I know that your president only takes informed decisions," he added.

"He will be remembered as a great president, who does a lot for his country and for world peace," Ecclestone said.

He said he is sure Sochi will stay on the calendar beyond its 2025 contract, but confirmed reports that talks about a night race have now ended.

"We had the idea but I don't know if it's worth it. The TV pictures from Sochi in the afternoon are wonderful and everything is organised at a very high level, so there's no need to change," said Ecclestone.

Finally, Ecclestone spoke about the 2017 season, in which changes he presided over last year came into fruition in the form of the current, faster cars.

And at the front, Mercedes finally has a challenger in Ferrari.

"I think Sebastian (Vettel) and Lewis (Hamilton) will continue to fight for first place," said Ecclestone. "It will be a very interesting fight.

"This year, Ferrari is really back in the fight for the top places, and that's very good news. Fans were very tired of Mercedes' domination of recent years, and increased competition helps the promoters to sell more tickets," he added.

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527

Maybe he does, maybe he doesnt. You honestly dont mind either way, Ecclestone, as long as he feed you that lovely honeyflavoured cash.

1
May 3 2017 - 10:19

F1 News Lewis Hamilton Sebastian Vettel Mercedes Ferrari

Replies (7)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Maybe he does, maybe he doesnt. You honestly dont mind either way, Ecclestone, as long as he feed you that lovely honeyflavoured cash.
- + 1
- May 3 2017 - 10:19
Jutlandia

Posts: 191
I think Bernie is loosing grip, or going a bit senile now.
Putin is dangerous as hell.
- + 1
- May 4 2017 - 08:08
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Is losing, you say? I believe he lost his marbles ages ago.
  + 1
  
  May 4 2017 - 13:04
- mclarenfan1968
  
  Posts: 1,027
  Putin is doing what any competent leader should be doing for their country. Before you swallow the western propaganda whole sale you need to lay off the cool aid and realize the biggest threat to the free world today are the neocons around the world fronted by American interests. Big brother, every major American intelligence agency already sees and hears everything. The american ruling elite can frame just about anyone they like for untold crimes and totally get away with all of it with congressional and public support while there you sit and call Putin 'dangerous'. Hilarious!
  + 0
  
  May 4 2017 - 16:18
- Jutlandia
  
  Posts: 191
  @MCLARENFAN1968
  Putin a competent leader? He maybe is for the russians, but stealing a part of Ukraine is not very competent in my my eyes, that is robbery of the worst kind.
  I'm sorry for the ordinary russian that suffers under the international sanctions, but you chosed Putin, and you'll have to live with it.
  To me Russian is nothing but a Petrol station with a flag. The only product that you're selling is natural gas.
  + 0
  
  May 4 2017 - 21:09
JEmmitt

Posts: 7
Getting a little heavy here. Anyone for a Unified Peninsula Grand Prix?
- + 0
- May 4 2017 - 16:57
RogerF1

Posts: 501
Definitely a bit political here but then the article had that slant. My surprise was the comment about Sochi being a great track. Most processional race to date for at least the eight top runners, only serious fun on first two and last two laps? Always prefer some real grass to keep the drivers on their toes.
- + 1
- May 5 2017 - 00:35

Total queries: 5
Total time: 1.0397310256958
time	sincestart	caller	annotate	bt	desc
	0.000496				instantiate query log (0Q - total module time: 0.00057411s)	""
	0.001074				boot (0Q - total module time: 0.00010991s)	""
	0.001186				translation-init (1Q - total module time: 0.00536394s)	""
0.00450206	0.002029	/var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/index.php		/var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/doctrine/dbal/lib/Doctrine/DBAL/Statement.php:189(stopQuery) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Repository/Redirect.php:105(execute) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Entities/Redirect.php:112(findByOrigin) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Services/Redirects.php:108(getRedirectOrFalse) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Router.php:115(checkForDBRedirects) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/website.php:260(execute) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/index.php:11(require_once)	SELECT redirects.id, redirects.origin, redirects.referer FROM redirects WHERE redirects.origin = :origin ORDER BY id	{"origin":"\/en\/news\/f1\/225630\/bernie-ecclestone-putin-does-a-lot-for-his-country-and-for-world-peace"}
	0.006555				controller::news/f1/225630/bernie-ecclestone-putin-does-a-lot-for-his-country-and-for-world-peace (3Q - total module time: 0.54806304s)	""
0.00101995	0.007199	/var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Controllers/News.php		/var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/doctrine/dbal/lib/Doctrine/DBAL/Statement.php:189(stopQuery) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Repository/Article.php:735(execute) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Controllers/News.php:105(getArticleCommentsNum) {"function":"F1T\\Controllers\\{closure}","class":"F1T\\Controllers\\News","object":{"current_page":"news"},"type":"->","args":[]} /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Services/Cache.php:144(call_user_func) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Controllers/News.php:109(lazyFetch) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Controllers/News.php:47(action_Index) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Router.php:269(dispatch) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Router.php:195(_load) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/website.php:260(execute) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/index.php:11(require_once)	SELECT `ArticleId`, `Articles`.`CommentCount` as 'CommentCount' FROM `Articles` WHERE `Articles`.`ArticleId` = :article_id LIMIT 0, 1	{"article_id":225630}
0.18040895	0.008539	/var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Controllers/News.php		/var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/doctrine/dbal/lib/Doctrine/DBAL/Statement.php:189(stopQuery) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Repository/Article.php:389(execute) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Controllers/News.php:127(findNextArticle) {"function":"F1T\\Controllers\\{closure}","class":"F1T\\Controllers\\News","object":{"current_page":"news"},"type":"->","args":[]} /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Services/Cache.php:144(call_user_func) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Controllers/News.php:158(lazyFetch) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Controllers/News.php:47(action_Index) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Router.php:269(dispatch) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Router.php:195(_load) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/website.php:260(execute) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/index.php:11(require_once)	SELECT Articles.ArticleId AS ArticleId, Articles.RewriteUrl AS RewriteUrl, Articles.ArticleType as ArticleType, Articles.Category as Category, Articles.cntnlang AS cntnlang, RacingSeries.RewriteUrl AS RacingSeriesRewriteUrl FROM Articles INNER JOIN RacingSeries ON Articles.RacingSerieId = RacingSeries.RacingSerieId WHERE Articles.cntnlang = :siteLang AND Articles.SiteId = :siteId AND Articles.Activated = 1 AND Articles.PublishDate < :publishDate AND Articles.ArticleType IN (:param0, :param1, :param2) AND Articles.ArticleId > :articleId ORDER BY Articles.ArticleId ASC LIMIT 1	{"siteLang":"en","siteId":"1","publishDate":"2026-02-05 13:10:00","articleId":225630,":param0":"Nieuws",":param1":"LiveRaceReport",":param2":"Liveblog"}
0.28590918	0.189004	/var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Controllers/News.php		/var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/doctrine/dbal/lib/Doctrine/DBAL/Statement.php:189(stopQuery) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Repository/Article.php:318(execute) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Controllers/News.php:128(findPrevArticle) {"function":"F1T\\Controllers\\{closure}","class":"F1T\\Controllers\\News","object":{"current_page":"news"},"type":"->","args":[]} /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Services/Cache.php:144(call_user_func) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Controllers/News.php:158(lazyFetch) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Controllers/News.php:47(action_Index) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Router.php:269(dispatch) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Router.php:195(_load) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/website.php:260(execute) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/index.php:11(require_once)	SELECT Articles.ArticleId AS ArticleId, Articles.RewriteUrl AS RewriteUrl, Articles.ArticleType as ArticleType, Articles.Category as Category, Articles.cntnlang AS cntnlang, RacingSeries.RewriteUrl AS RacingSeriesRewriteUrl FROM Articles INNER JOIN RacingSeries ON Articles.RacingSerieId = RacingSeries.RacingSerieId WHERE Articles.cntnlang = :siteLang AND Articles.SiteId = :siteId AND Articles.Activated = 1 AND Articles.PublishDate < :publishDate AND Articles.ArticleType IN (:param0, :param1, :param2) AND Articles.ArticleId < :articleId ORDER BY Articles.ArticleId DESC LIMIT 1	{"siteLang":"en","siteId":"1","publishDate":"2026-02-05 13:10:00","articleId":225630,":param0":"Nieuws",":param1":"LiveRaceReport",":param2":"Liveblog"}
	0.554625		cacheAble: yes		module:News\Result (0Q - total module time: 0.00049210s)	""
	0.555120		cacheAble: yes		module:News\Photos (0Q - total module time: 0.00019097s)	""
	0.555313		cacheAble: yes		module:News\Trending (0Q - total module time: 0.00010705s)	""
	0.555423		cacheAble: yes		module:News\Reply (1Q - total module time: 0.47839808s)	""
0.47165203	0.555950	/var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Repository/CommentVotes.php		/var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/doctrine/dbal/lib/Doctrine/DBAL/Connection.php:1323(stopQuery) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/doctrine/orm/lib/Doctrine/ORM/Query/Exec/SingleSelectExecutor.php:31(executeQuery) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/doctrine/orm/lib/Doctrine/ORM/Query.php:325(execute) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/doctrine/orm/lib/Doctrine/ORM/AbstractQuery.php:1212(_doExecute) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/doctrine/orm/lib/Doctrine/ORM/AbstractQuery.php:1166(executeIgnoreQueryCache) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/doctrine/orm/lib/Doctrine/ORM/AbstractQuery.php:901(execute) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Repository/CommentVotes.php:192(getResult) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Services/CommentVotesManager.php:46(getCommentVotesByVoteIp) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Modules/News/Reply.php:101(getCommentVotesByIP) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/ModuleBase.php:115(internalRender) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/ModuleBase.php:89(captureOutput) {"function":"F1T\\{closure}","class":"F1T\\ModuleBase","object":{"_amp":false},"type":"->","args":[]} /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Services/Cache.php:144(call_user_func) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/ModuleBase.php:92(lazyFetch) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Services/ViewRenderer/TwigExtensions/ModuleRenderer.php:35(fetch) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/twig/twig/src/Environment.php(418) : eval()'d code:549(renderModule) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/twig/twig/src/Template.php:182(block_mainContent) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/twig/twig/src/Environment.php(418) : eval()'d code:62(displayBlock) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/twig/twig/src/Template.php:182(block_content) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/twig/twig/src/Environment.php(418) : eval()'d code:715(displayBlock) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/twig/twig/src/Template.php:405(doDisplay) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/twig/twig/src/Template.php:378(displayWithErrorHandling) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/twig/twig/src/Environment.php(418) : eval()'d code:45(display) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/twig/twig/src/Template.php:405(doDisplay) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/twig/twig/src/Template.php:378(displayWithErrorHandling) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/twig/twig/src/Environment.php(418) : eval()'d code:46(display) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/twig/twig/src/Template.php:405(doDisplay) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/twig/twig/src/Template.php:378(displayWithErrorHandling) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/twig/twig/src/Template.php:390(display) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/twig/twig/src/TemplateWrapper.php:45(render) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/vendor/twig/twig/src/Environment.php:318(render) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/Services/ViewRenderer/TwigRenderer.php:115(render) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/ViewTrait.php:98(render) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/ViewTrait.php:79(renderViewFile) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/app/website.php:261(render) /var/www/dev-priyantha.gptoday.net/public_html/index.php:11(require_once)	SELECT c0_.CommentId AS CommentId_0, c1_.Vote AS Vote_1 FROM Comments c0_ INNER JOIN CommentVotes c1_ ON (c1_.CommentId = c0_.CommentId) WHERE c0_.ArticleId = ? AND c1_.VoteIp = ?	[225630,"216.73.216.82"]
	1.033824		cacheAble: no		module:Sidebar (0Q - total module time: 0.00039506s)	""
	1.034223				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::ads (0Q - total module time: 0.00001287s)	""
	1.034238				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::gpschedule (0Q - total module time: 0.00000286s)	""
	1.034241		cacheAble: yes		module:GpSchedule (0Q - total module time: 0.00016809s)	""
	1.034412				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::results (0Q - total module time: 0.00000501s)	""
	1.034418		cacheAble: yes		module:Results (0Q - total module time: 0.00012398s)	""
	1.034544				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::testcalendar (0Q - total module time: 0.00000310s)	""
	1.034548		cacheAble: yes		module:TestCalendar (0Q - total module time: 0.00011206s)	""
	1.034662				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::ads (0Q - total module time: 0.00000405s)	""
	1.034668				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::ads (0Q - total module time: 0.00000095s)	""
	1.034670				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::relatednews (0Q - total module time: 0.00000191s)	""
	1.034673		cacheAble: yes		module:RelatedNews (0Q - total module time: 0.00011301s)	""
	1.034788				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::whoischatting (0Q - total module time: 0.00000620s)	""
	1.034794				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::ads (0Q - total module time: 0.00000286s)	""
	1.034797				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::poll (0Q - total module time: 0.00000215s)	""
	1.034799		cacheAble: no		module:Poll (0Q - total module time: 0.00171995s)	""
	1.036520				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::ads (0Q - total module time: 0.00000501s)	""
	1.036526				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::ads (0Q - total module time: 0.00000215s)	""
	1.036528				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::gpcalendar (0Q - total module time: 0.00000095s)	""
	1.036531		cacheAble: yes		module:GpCalendar (0Q - total module time: 0.00197506s)	""
	1.038510				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::driver_Info (0Q - total module time: 0.00000596s)	""
	1.038518		cacheAble: yes		module:Driver\Info (0Q - total module time: 0.00013208s)	""
	1.038653				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::team_Info (0Q - total module time: 0.00000501s)	""
	1.038659		cacheAble: yes		module:Team\Info (0Q - total module time: 0.00010085s)	""
	1.038762				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::linkedKeywords (0Q - total module time: 0.00000596s)	""
	1.038769				sidebar:sidebar-news-read::gpsidebarnavigation (0Q - total module time: 0.00000310s)	""
	1.038772		cacheAble: no		module:GpSidebarNavigation (0Q - total module time: 0.00044584s)	""
	1.039221		cacheAble: yes		module:Layout\Footer (0Q - total module time: 0.00010586s)	""
	1.039329		cacheAble: yes		module:News\Breaking (0Q - total module time: 0.00039697s)	""
	1.039729				done	""

Bernie Ecclestone: "Putin does a lot for his country and for world peace"

calle.itw

Trending news

Replies (7)

calle.itw

Jutlandia

calle.itw

mclarenfan1968

Jutlandia

JEmmitt

RogerF1

Grand Prix of Belgium

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Race / Startgrid

Grand Prix of Belgium

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

World Championship standings 2023

Test calendar

Related news

Vettel – Hamilton is certainly the greatest of our era

Winning the teams' title is better than the drivers', according to Hamilton

Ferrari 'not into excuses' over current performances - Camilleri

Hamilton was 'definitely worried' about front brake smoking during Mugello restart

Ferrari 'not into excuses' over current performances - Camilleri

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Driver profile

Team profile