Planet-F1

A step too far for Ecclestone?

Saturday 4th July 2009

Never one to side step controversy, Bernie Ecclestone has been quoted as saying that Adolf Hitler was a man who "was able to get things done" and that Max Mosley would do a better job than Gordon Brown or Tony Blair.

The outspoken Ecclestone has in the past walked a very thin line but his latest comments are bound to be interpreted as some as overstepping the mark.

Adolf Hitler was a man who "was able to get things done," Ecclestone told The Guardian.

"In a lot of ways, terrible to say this I suppose, but apart from the fact that Hitler got taken away and persuaded to do things that I have no idea whether he wanted to do or not, he was in the way that he could command a lot of people, able to get things done.

"I prefer strong leaders. Margaret Thatcher made decisions on the run and got the job done. She was the one who built this country up slowly. We've let it go down again. All these guys, Gordon and Tony are trying to please everybody all the time... Max would do a super job, he's a good leader."

He added that he doesn't believe that having Sir Oswald Mosley, leader of the British Union of Fascists, as his father should count against Max.

"I don't think his background would be a problem," he continued. "Politicians are too worried about elections. We did a terrible thing when we supported the idea of getting rid of Saddam Hussein, he was the only one who could control the country. It was the same with (the Taliban)."

The F1 supremo, though, did backtrack a bit on his "it's a joke" comments when Lewis Hamilton was mocked by some Spanish spectators last season. Now he says "if they do it again, I will go and find them and make them come and meet Lewis Hamilton."