Bernie Ecclestone has dismissed as a ‘big misunderstanding’ the international furore created by his recent interview with London's Times newspaper.
Not only was the F1 Chief Executive's apparent defence of Adolf Hitler condemned by Jewish groups, it is believed sections of the Formula One world argue it is evidence the 78-year-old should retire.
"All this is a big misunderstanding," Ecclestone told Germany's Bild newspaper.
"In the interview we were talking about structures and that it can sometimes be good to act and make strong decisions without reservation," he explained.
"I wasn't using Hitler as a positive example, but pointing out that before his dreadful crimes he worked successfully against unemployment and economic problems," said Ecclestone.
The wide-circulation German newspaper asked the Briton if he felt the need to apologise.
"It was never my intention to hurt the feelings of any community," Bernie replied. "Many people in my closest circle of friends are Jewish.
"Anyone who knows me knows that I would never attack a minority," he added.




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Yes Herr Hitler did bring down unemployment. He did this by incarcerating people who did not agree with his views,(people in jail were not included in statistics), forcing people into the Armed forces and those that joined the Nazi party were counted as "working" even if they did not have a job.
Must simply request that before you criticise the article, you read it in full and not other people's opinions of the his opinions. I do hold opinions about Bernie Grab the Money and Run as Triple C dubbed him ages ago but not having read it choose, from a position of ignorance, not to comment on Bernie's beliefs.
Funny how the words "A lot of my friends are Black/Jewish/Muslim/Chinese/Christian (delete where appropriate)" turn up when someone is desperatly backtracking after opening their big mouths. Time to @#$% Barmy Bernie on the same heap as Mad Max
"I wasn't using Hitler as a positive example, but pointing out that before his dreadful crimes he worked successfully against unemployment and economic problems," said Ecclestone.
Yes he gave us slave labour. There were more slaves killed building the V2 rockets than there were victims of this weapon. More evidence of muddled-thinking - Uh Uh that's why Bernie likes him.
Where do you think the Nazis got the money to build the Autobahns and the Army then Bernie? The German economy wasn't earning any more money or producing any more saleable goods. He did it on credit and when his finance minister told him that inflation would surely follow he sacked him and replaced him with Goering. A true giant in the world of economics NOT.
Bernie don't worry, you and Max do a good job for F1. Without you F1 was chaos and poor !
The critic is all envy of some journos and hooligans.
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