Jul.1 - Even with a fascinating battle for the world championship in play, cultural politics are dominating the scene in Formula 1 for now.

The paddock is now up in arms about the latest comments made by former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, including that he would "take a bullet" for Russian president Vladimir Putin.

He was also critical of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and defended F1 legend Nelson Piquet - who has just been kicked out by the Silverstone owning British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC).

"Nelson would never go out of his way to say anything bad, certainly," 91-year-old Ecclestone is quoted as saying.

"I think what probably happened, as his daughter is the girlfriend of Max Verstappen, probably after seeing the (2021 Silverstone) accident, he probably exploded and carried that forward."

Formula 1 condemned Ecclestone's interview.

"The comments made by Bernie Ecclestone are his personal views and are in very stark contrast to the position of the modern values of our sport," it said in a statement.

Lewis Hamilton, the subject of Piquet's controversial 'N-word' statement which Ecclestone says he should ignore, said divisive figures belonging to past generations should be no longer heard.

"Just why do we give these guys a platform?" said the seven time world champion, also referring to Sir Jackie Stewart who is calling on Hamilton to retire.

"They're not with the times, they're clearly not willing to change."

Because of Piquet's connection with Verstappen, as the Dutch driver is dating the triple world champion's daughter Kelly, the saga has also drawn in the Red Bull driver.

"I haven't spoken to Nelson yet, no," Verstappen said at Silverstone, insisting that the 69-year-old is a "nice guy" and "not a racist".

"Nor is it my place to talk to him about that. You wouldn't do that, would you?" the 2021 world champion added.

"He doesn't need me to tell him what's right and what's not."

Verstappen also denies that bans for figures like Piquet and Ecclestone are appropriate.

"You are not helping the situation by doing that," he said. "It's not helping what you are trying to enforce - it's better to chat."


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17 F1 Fan comments on “Formula 1 condemnes Ecclestone's latest statements

  1. ReallyOldRacer

    "Just why do we give these guys a platform?" said the seven time world champion, also referring to Sir Jackie Stewart who is calling on Hamilton to retire.

    Many of us ask that question about Sir Lewie The Poseur.

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      • ReallyOldRacer

        Now that Lewie is "working with" the FIA, it's tough racing without a nose ring. Now he's even snubbing the SKYguys. 10 minutes late for a live tv show yesterday and left Georgie Boy alone to fill the void. Gotta be careful here. Is it PC to call Lewie a whiny little bitch? BTW, I notice that the first rate Brit fans are not responding so much to the knight when he begs them for accolades.

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    • John B

      Another stupid post

      You should know that if you voiced an opinion in the past then you were dealt with severely or dispatched

      Do we really want to return to fear retribution for simply being honest

      I for one would not

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  2. Shroppyfly

    Oh definitely fine Ror I checked with the Fia and the Dames people well fans are fickle Lewis needs to stick it on pole, Charles 2nd and MightyMax 3rd then CL will outbrake himself taking them both out, and Max wins easily

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    • ReallyOldRacer

      You must be sober this evening, that's actually a plausible scenario. My guess, LEC and VER have a boo-boo and we get a Brit 1-2-3. and the crowd goes craazzzy.

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      • Blofly

        Both wrong, Hammi cleverly takes out Maxi but makes it look like Maxi’s fault. Maxi swears at the knight over the radio, get 5 points on his licence ends up with a dnf and a race ban , the clerk wins and suddenly the chosen ones are back in contention for a wdc. Oh and Georgie gets a podium.
        If that fails the Canadian /Italian steps in and takes out Maxi when he’s being lapped. Not Maxi being lapped you idiots.
        Now that’s a conspiracy you bunch of amateurs!👁🏎

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  3. John B

    Another stupid post

    You should know that if you voiced an opinion in the past then you were dealt with severely or dispatched

    Do we really want to return to fear retribution for simply being honest

    I for one would not

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  4. Susan

    With all the outrage over old guys comments, how do the teams have time to prepare for the race? Amazing! It is getting to be more drama than actual racing.

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  5. CanadianEh

    Under certain circumstances, urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.
    - Mark Twain

    The virtue-signalers are virtue-signaling. Forget their vapid utterances.

    Reply

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