What is wrong with Formula One Supremo Bernie Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone

The CEO of Formula One Group is once again at his ranting best, and this time he has spared no-one. From young fans to team owners, and from Caterham’s crowd funding methods to athlete Oscar Pistorius, Bernie Ecclestone is on a talk-a-thon rampage. It is a good thing that the commercial boss of Formula 1 doesn’t use the social media channels, or the internet for that matter. This is because; all he will find there are the trolls made by angered fans about his recent comments and views about the world of Formula 1. The 84-year-old British business magnet is famous for his controversial, and of course non-popular, statements about various things.

Where the trend began this year

Even though Ecclestone has always been on the spotlight for many controversial comments, this season, particularly in the second part of it, he has been critical about various issues. His first attack came in the form of a statement he vented out at the Singapore Grand Prix against the possibility of losing back-of the-field teams. Before the start of the night race at the Marina Bay circuit, Ecclestone stated to Sky Sports News HQ that: "We have a regulation that says if we lose three teams the other teams will run three cars,”. This was seen as an open threat to the back-of-the-grid teams of Formula 1, Caterham and Marussia.

These teams were being very vocal about their difficult financial situation, and also about their possible incapability to race in 2015. The fans and analysts regarded this as a very clear message to other Formula 1 outfits about the plan Ecclestone was, and is still, creating, for the future of the sport. He has always been pushing the top teams like Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren to field three cars, instead of the current two, at a race event. This, according to the commercial head of Formula 1, will solve the problem of “number making” at a Grand-Prix. Indeed, if three cars are fielded by the top three, or four, teams, then a grid with 20 cars is possible. That said, it might also signal the end of some mid-field and back-of-the-grid teams in Formula 1. This is why, his comment on the possibility of running three cars per team, was not at all welcomed by fans around the world.

The fall of Marussia F1 team, and lack of solace to the midfield teams

Despite Marussia and Caterham’s individual efforts, and the lack of it from the Formula 1 paddock, both the teams went into administration in October of this year. They missed the United States and the Brazilian Grand Prix because of their incapability to function as a sound team. As a new buyer couldn’t be located by early November, the Marussia F1 Team had to close its door, with their staff made redundant.

When asked about the plight of the two teams, Ecclestone responded in an inappropriate way: “Nobody will miss the two teams because they’re not front running teams; they’ve only got a name that people would know because of the problem they’re in,” Ecclestone was quoted by the Campaign Asia-Pacific magazine. His improper usage of words continued, as he compared the situation of the two fallen teams with the position of former South African Paralympic champion, Oscar Pistorius. Pistorius was recently sentenced to five years’ prison time for the manslaughter of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

“This poor guy in South Africa [Pistorius], for instance, has got more interest because of what happened with him than when he was winning gold medals,” said Ecclestone. The immaturity and the illogicality of the man were once again at display. These comments become viral over the internet, the instant it was opined by the 84-year-old.

More controversial comments continued

The fall of Marussia prompted three midfield teams, Force India, Lotus and Sauber to request for a better revenue sharing package, and/or an immediate cash injunction. The request came because of these teams’ own ongoing financial woes. These requests were rejected by Ecclestone, who was later quoted by the media as: “They [Mid field teams] have enough to survive but not in the way they are surviving. [Teams should] start running the business like a business, rather than a hobby.” This was regarded as a direct attack at some team owners about the way they were running their team.

The future of these teams is still hanging in the balance, but the dictator of Formula 1 isn’t bothered about the size of the future grid. Running three cars per team or getting Super GP2 cars, or even allowing customer cars in Formula 1 next year, are the options Ecclestone is mooting for next year.

The blasting of the crowd-funding scheme by Caterham

To fund, their way to the final race of the season at Abu Dhabi, the Caterham team took a very unusual, and an unglamorous route. Already in the hands of administrators, and with no new owners on the horizon, Catherham F1 team started a unique crowd-fund raising program.

A website was set up by the team, where fans and well-wishers could pledge their support. The contribution was done either through a donation, or by buying various Caterham Team merchandises and car parts. The scheme seems to have worked, because last week the administrators of the Caterham team announced that, the team would most probably go racing at Abu Dhabi.

This was regarded as welcoming news by the whole Formula 1 paddock, but Ecclestone blasted the move. "We don't want begging bowls," Ecclestone said about the scheme to the media. "If people can't afford to be in Formula One, they have to find something else to do." His slamming of the crowd-funding scheme also did not go down well with the fans. This is because of the fact that, the success of the crowd-funding was only possible because of the support from the fans in first place. However, Caterham racing at Abu Dhabi will be a fantastic testimony to the spirit of the Formula 1 fans.

And when you thought it couldn’t get any worse

His next target was, well, the whole paddock. With most teams rejecting the idea in the first place, the double point yielding race next year might be scrapped. Ecclestone has blamed the rejection of his original idea- of making the last three races of this season as a double point-getter- as the main reason behind the failure. Ecclestone vented this out when he was asked about the matter: "The teams have not accepted it because they are bloody idiots. They are all mechanics. They think of their team in the short term [only]." The Englishman’s comments were becoming funnier and funnier, day by day. However, the best was yet to come, from the mouth of the horse.

Young fans and social media - Formula 1 doesn’t go that way

Various comments have prompted irked fervent fans of Formula 1 to protest via social media sites or by ridiculing Ecclestone in cartoons and jokes. However, the best of the lot from Ecclestone’s box came as an attack on young Formula 1 fans. Yes, that is right, Mr. Ecclestone stated very recently that Formula 1 doesn’t require Young F1 Fans. "Young kids will see the Rolex brand, but are they going to go and buy one? They can't afford it. Or our other sponsor, UBS – these kids don't care about banking. They haven't got enough money to put in the bloody banks anyway," Ecclestone said. "I'd rather get to the 70-year-old guy who's got plenty of cash."

While Ecclestone’s argument is financially correct in terms of ROI (Return on Investment) for some high-end sponsors, but practically the statement is illogical and baseless. Formula 1 needs fans, young and old alike. This is not a niche sporting event for a select few people or for a corporate audience; it is a sporting event for all. Maybe these sponsors and corporate houses are the reason why the sport is enjoying world-wide global coverage, but it is done so that it reaches fans all around the world.

Isolation of young fans will put the sport’s future at risk. Be it from the audience point of view or from the point that, Formula 1 will need new breed of young drivers in the future. Ecclestone’s view on social media usage is also very shallow. "You're right that we should use social media to promote Formula One. I just don't know how." Ecclestone told the Campaign Asia-Pacific magazine.

We understand, ignorance is bliss, but Ecclestone has to create a much larger presence of Formula 1 in websites like; Facebook, Twitter and YouTube etc. It is sure to create more awareness, and in turn more viewership, for Formula 1. There are many companies which can help improve Formula 1’s image on the digital media platform. However, it is up to Ecclestone and his team to determine how to tackle this challenge. Making very un-inspiring statements about fans, teams and inabilities to adapt to futuristic ways of digital marketing, is not helping Formula 1 on the long run.

The Question is begging to be asked

With so many shenanigans, irrational comments, innuendos and baseless accusations levied against almost anyone who is related to Formula 1,one cannot help but ask : Isn’t it time for Ecclestone to step down from the realm? One has to remember that, the F1 boss recently ditched a bribery charge case against himself.

This issue had impacted Formula 1 with a bad reputation, and with the current situation about team finances, it is getting even worse. Red Bull F1’s Team Principal Christian Horner was, and still is, mooted as the possible heir to Ecclestone’s throne. Time will tell whether this happens or not, but one thing is for sure. If the ranting doesn’t stop- Formula 1 will risk losing, not only more teams or probable young followers, but also a large section of genuine motorsports fans.

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Edited by Staff Editor