Bernie Ecclestone: COFFIN DODGER

"I'm 82 and nobody can deny that" - Bernie Ecclestone

Is this the face of pure evil?

If you're a rich Arab leader with money to wipe your arse with, then no, this man is your best friend who is near the top five on your Christmas card list. If you're a true Formula 1 fan then he is evil incarnate. This man wants to take the very essence of Formula 1 and turn it into a profit.

Growing Concern. Is Bernie Too Old?

After dear old Bernie was criticised heavily following his condemnation of Ferrari's outcry by their president Luca di Montezemolo (see previous blog), he's hit back by saying he isn't stopping any time soon. I'm going to explain why this is a very negative aspect and even though we're going through a golden era in the sport, why we're still going down the wrong path.

I'm going be straight up. I don't like Bernie. The way he conducts business is wrong and his agenda is up the left. This isn't opinion, this is fact. Bernie gets everything his own way. He rules by iron fist with no compromise. This has led to many atrocities that you may be completely unaware of.

In 1999, Formula 1 ventured into the desert for the first time in it's history. The Malaysian GP was the first to take place in that region of the world. I'm actually a fan of this race, I find it a great addition to the calendar. Bernie had the idea of expanding to newer regions in order to grow a new base. One of the primary rules of business I suppose. But he didn't stop there. In 2004 Formula 1 was introduced to the country of Bahrain. Let me sum this race up to you. If you're not Sebastian Vettel, sorry I spelt that wrong. If you're not Adrian Newey in a Red Bull, and you still get pole position, you will still win the race. That's how systematically boring it still is.

It didn't stop there. In 2009 we were given an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. What was the biggest attraction  It wasn't anything related to the track. All the hype was about a few lights on a hotel. Next year Korea hosted a Grand Prix and just last year, India received a Grand Prix! India?! They can't afford to feed their own people but they can host a race. What's my issue? These tracks do not fill out their capacity. Take a look at last years Indian race. Even just a clip on youtube. Now look at the stands. The majority of them are empty. Why do we continue to go back to these stupid Tilke designed desert races if the people there aren't interested? Because Bernie says so. A good friend of mine once said "bring the sport to the fans." But Bernie isn't about the fans. 

But the true reason why I despise this man originates from 2008. Some idiot thought it would be a genius idea to put a thousand flood lights and a few coloured boards around the streets of Singapore and call it  a race. It's awful. It is by far the worst Grand Prix in the sports history. The teams aren't very fond of it despite what they say on camera, I'm fairly certain very little people turn up for it an I'm damn sure the motorists hate the disruption to their journeys. So why is it there? Because it's all money in Bernie's back pocket!

These middle eastern races are replacing the very best race tracks in the world! Instead of classics like South Africa, France and San Marino we now have these ridiculous tracks with run off areas that carry the same speed as the race track. If you ran off track in Suzuka, your race was over. If you do it in Abu Dhabi, you benefit a few gain seconds and an illegal overtake which nobody sees.

It's terrifying to think that Spa was threatened with the axe this year after a difficulty with fees, but year after year it brings capacity crowds and an amazing race, while India brings more stray dogs than people and gets called a success. Based on this logic it's only a matter of time before Monza and Silverstone are replaced by races in Afghanistan or Tunisia. Even if Monte Carlo was the last classic track left on the calendar, you can bet any money Bernie would replace the principality with Iran just because they're able to provide him with plutonium in order to power whatever is keeping him alive.

It's time somebody replaced the tycoon with a real mind. The top of Formula 1 should not be headed by a little man constantly carrying bags with dollar signs around with him everyday. It should be ran by a racing icon. Someone who knows were the sport should be heading. Someone who says no to Bahrain and India, and yes to two German Grand Prix's and a return to Austria! Who do I honestly think should replace him? Michael Schumacher. And I'm not even going to state a reason because you know I'm right.

There is no doubt in my mind, Bernie has made Formula 1 the global sport it is. Commercial success is largely his. But he got greedy. Simple fact is he doesn't know what the fans want. Bernie you'll never know I exist, and will probably never read this. But I implore you, bring the sport to the fans.