F1 Mogul Bernie Ecclestone Slams $301 Million American Owners for Destroying the Sport With “Sham” Hollywood Drama

Back in the golden age of Formula 1, the drivers were idolized as though they were Greek gods. It’s safe to say that in many places across the globe, F1 drivers were worshipped. But this is just a big paradox. Let’s take the example of Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna. While Schumacher was glorified for that amazing dominant streak with Ferrari, more often than not his uber-competitiveness would be on display for all to see. He could and would do anything to win. Even run his competitor off. You don’t get more human than that.

With Senna, his exploits on track were legendary, mythical even. But his rivalry with Alain Prost showed his more emotional and vulnerable side. This mix of humaneness and the ability to be a demon on track is what made these drivers immortal in the annals of F1 history and god-like in the eyes of the fans.

Fast forward all these years to today, F1 has become a corporate device in some ways. Even though, in essence, the drama is at an all-time high, we just don’t see characters as we used to before. Bernie Ecclestone was the ringmaster back in the glory days of the sport. Some would even argue that he was the man who orchestrated these blockbuster characters and personalities to be in a position where they would be idolized. But with the current landscape of the sport, all the drivers play it too safe in the media. There’s an image to be maintained for their employers. This is exactly what has irked the 92-year-old mogul.

Formula 1; A hero-less sport

In an interview with F1-insider.com, Ecclestone began by discussing the lack of broadcasting rights in Germany, a country where during the time of Schumacher, the sport was followed in every household. Ecclestone said, “I think the Germans still want to see a sporting competition, not a sham. The balance between show and sport just doesn’t fit anymore.” [translated via Google Translate]

However, he then proceeded to dissect the real cause for this lack of enthusiasm towards the sport. “Today the drivers sit there and always recite the same sayings. The team bosses too. Each PK is interchangeable. The media prefers to report on flexible front spoilers or strange underbodies, but hardly on the corners and edges of the main characters.”

“How are heroes like that supposed to come about?”

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Be that as it may, many would argue that things took a turn for the better since $301 Million worth giants Liberty Media bought the sport from Ecclestone’s clutches in 2017.

Bernie Ecclestone planned on burning F1 down to ruins

Ecclestone was at the helm of the sport for a very long time. Naturally, he would be skeptical to let go of the brand he had masterminded into a multi-billion dollar circus. He eventually let it all go Liberty Media’s way, but there was a time when he threatened to rip the sport into pieces if anyone ever tried to come near it.

RaceFans.com quoted him as saying, “If anyone ever tries to grab Formula One I’ll do a ‘scorched earth’. I’ll make sure there’s nothing left after I’ve gone.” But this wasn’t out of pure sentiment though. As Ross Brawn revealed, “He [Ecclestone] certainly doesn’t like other people making money out of Formula One.”

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Was F1 better off in the hands of Ecclestone? Or has the sport blossomed under the new ownership of Liberty Media?