F1-Live.com chrono

Ecclestone says Hitler storm a 'misunderstanding'

Mon 06 Jul, 10:36 AM


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.

 

Comment 1 - 5 of 25

Sort comments by: Most recent
  1. 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.

    From a.bice, on Mon 6 Jul 11:12AM
  2. 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.

    From Nxxx, on Mon 6 Jul 11:09AM
  3. 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

    From Reefgirl, on Mon 6 Jul 11:04AM
  4. "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.

    From Arkeep Mateef Inajar-bythebed, on Mon 6 Jul 10:52AM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    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.

    From Ape, on Mon 6 Jul 10:51AM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account