Ecclestone Attempts To Explain Controversial Hitler Comments

F1 Management Chair Bernie Ecclestone, in a special to the LONDON TIMES, writes he has "no complaints" about his quote pertaining to Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein last week, as it "is what I said -- but it was not what I meant to say." Ecclestone: "Those who don’t know me think I support Hitler’s atrocities; those who do know me have told me how unwise I was to articulate my points so badly that it should have been so widely misunderstood." More Ecclestone: "During the 1930s Germany was facing an economic crisis but Hitler was able to rebuild the economy, building the autobahns and German industry. That was all I meant when I referred to him getting things done. I’m an admirer of good leadership, of politicians who stand by their convictions and tell the voters the truth. I’m not an admirer of dictators, who rule by terror." Ecclestone added the "downside of democracy is the belief that everyone should have a say in how things are run; but it’s not that easy," while the "upside of democracy is that it allows people to say what they think -- even when it’s about me" ( LONDON TIMES, 7/7 ). IMMEDIATE FALLOUT : In Manchester, Alan Henry reports German state Baden-Württemberg Prime Minister Günther Oettinger "cancelled a meeting scheduled this weekend to discuss the future" of the F1 German Grand Prix after Ecclestone's "recent observations about Adolf Hitler." The German Grand Prix is scheduled to take place in the state next year, and Oettinger is "due to meet" with Ecclestone prior to the '09 edition this weekend ( Manchester GUARDIAN, 7/7 ). REAX : In Manchester, Michael White writes for a man in "life's pole position," Ecclestone is a "bit slow off the starting line." White: "Bernie is obviously a bit of an idiot -- a very rich idiot with an engaging weakness for tall women, but an idiot all the same. ... Just because he's very rich it doesn't make him wise." Ecclestone's comments "reflect a poor understanding of bad economics as well as dreadful politics." But as with FIA President Max Mosley, one does not "have to feel very sorry for Ecclestone, who has his money to console him" ( GUARDIAN.co.uk, 7/7 ). ESPN’s Michael Wilbon: "In America, this wouldn't have been tolerated. Every single columnist would have been calling for this person's head. … In the United States, this guy would be out. But I don't think that's necessarily going to happen in the F-1 culture in which he operates." Wilbon also referenced the allegations Mosley last year participated in what was described as a “Nazi-style” orgy and said, “We only seem to talk Formula One racing on this show when it intersects with Nazis” ( "PTI," ESPN, 7/6 ).

Ecclestone Says He Has No Complaints About His Misunderstood Hitler Quote