Ecclestone can imagine St Petersburg switch
Bernie Ecclestone says he can imagine the Russian GP relocating to St Petersburg.
The former F1 supremo, who is an admitted admirer of controversial president Vladimir Putin, was the mastermind behind F1's move to Sochi in 2014.
Now in the paddock of the former Olympic venue this weekend, he told Ria Novosti news agency: "Russia is part of the Formula 1 family. You should always have a race.
"I heard that it could change to St Petersburg. Let's wait and see what happens, but I like St Petersburg.
"If it happens, we will have to see what is better and what is worse. It's like three years in a marriage - you don't know what it will be like until you live those three years," Ecclestone added.
Sochi promoter Rosgonki has a contract with Formula 1 through 2025.
F1 CEO Chase Carey told Tass news agency at Sochi: "As you said, we have an agreement in place for a number of years to come.
"We are always open to having conversations on what the future could bring, but priority one is building and growing the race here in Sochi."
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"...The former F1 supremo, who is an admitted admirer of controversial president Vladimir Putin,..."
Two questions for you (Leopold):
a, Why can't you refer to Mr. Ecclestone by what was his official title? His title was never a "supremo." You may not like him, but that's no reason to be offensive.
b, Why is President Putin "controversial?" Just because some (don't know about you) don't like him? The only popularity contest that matters to Mr. Putin is his popularity with Russian voters.
Hi Simon, thank for your comments.
a. Well we call Mr. Ecclestone a supremo, out of respect. Without him F1 would not have became the success it has became since the 80's. Why do you think it's offensive to call him that?
b. I agree with you that calling Poetin controversial might not be appropriate,. Especially when you compare his behavior with Trump.
Hi Leopold, thanks for responding. I totally agree: we owe much to Mr. Ecclestone for Formula's existence and for being what it is.
The unease with the term "supremo" is in the letter "o" which gives it Latin, Italian, Spanish colouration, which in the US has pejorative connotations. For example in UK we have High Court, in US there is SupremE Court. Americans, who are pretty humourless about their political system, wouldn't be caught dead referring to the Supreme Court as Supremo. To them it would sound almost sacrilegious.
Given a latent racist tendencies in Anglo culture towards the Latin/Italo/Franco cultures use of "supremo" which is a Spanish/Italian variant of supreme, it carries derogatory overtones.
Mr. Ecclestone is a good sport and, no doubt, above the fray but supremo still implies certain lack of legitimacy, like usurped authority, almost like Mafialike structure.
Here is an example taken from the Urban Dictionary:
Supremo
A try-hard douchebag who wastes all their money on shoes, tie-up wear headbands, spam the fire at 100% emojis, and are typically a bunch of white suburban kids who think they're "lit" and, "fire".
Guy 1: "God, did you just hear the way Alen was talking the other day?"
Guy 2: "I know. What a Supremo."
by New-Cynic April 09, 2017
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