Bernie Ecclestone stepping down

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/25762411

Don't know if anyone saw this or not.

I saw it. Just didn't care.

All I can say is; It is about bloody time!

Bernie has done nothing but surround himself in scandal for last number of years. Kind of a blight on modern F1 if you ask me.

Now maybe we will see some more forward movement in this highest level of motorsport. And maybe a few more new teams to round out the field.

Mike Kirby

bravenrace wrote: I saw it. Just didn't care.

This is probably the one piece of F1 news you SHOULD care about...god forbid, the sport actually has a chance to be interesting again!

The article clearly says that Bernie is still running the business. He is just not going to sign contracts.

not like legality has stopped him before.

He only stepped down from the board, he's still in charge of the day to day running of Formula 1 the way I read it.

New management wanted: Candidate must be a giant crook and and an even bigger fan of Mario Kart. An amoral indifference to humanitarian issues and a white bowl cut will be considered an asset

Darn. Was hoping he'd just disappear.

DeadSkunk wrote: He only stepped down from the board, he's still in charge of the day to day running of Formula 1 the way I read it.

Exactly. I don't think this means much, it's for appearances since he's on trail for bribery. Now, if he gets convicted, that's a whole different kettle of fish.....

Tom_Spangler wrote:

DeadSkunk wrote: He only stepped down from the board, he's still in charge of the day to day running of Formula 1 the way I read it.

Exactly. I don't think this means much, it's for appearances since he's on trail for bribery. Now, if he gets convicted, that's a whole different kettle of fish.....

No one convicts a man worth billions. They extort a little of it for themselves. Bernie isn't going anywhere.

i for one am excited for the 2016 north korean grand prix with honorary starter dennis rodman

F1 hasn't been worth watching in years. I see no reason to start now.

They are the Champagne drinking, caviar munching version of NASCAR and used to put me to sleep.

Bernie stepping down means very little. If you really know the ins and outs and all the different companies that are actually involved in the operation of Formula 1, of which Bernie owns or is involved in all of them, stepping down from one of them doesn't mean much. But it does make the timing of this seem a little more odd: http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/formula-one/gene-haas-considering-2015-f-1-entry/

Bernie Ecclestone is a fairly complex character who is easy to vilify, given his merciless business practices. It's easy to forget he is responsible for the safety car, hiring Sid Watkins, other safety measures and has very often given very valuable advice to drivers over the years. The team owners eat their young and have consistently put there immediate interests over the sport and often their own long term good. My concern would be who takes over after Bernie, because the chances of his being convicted are very real and we'll see if his defense of the money being extorted holds up. The power struggle could do far more damage than any of Bernie's wheeling and dealing for personal benefit ever did. On the business end people forget that before Ecclestone took over the sports players were a pretty scruffy lot not exactly running things well. I'm no Bernie fan but I don't believe that Ron Dennis, Frank Williams Et Al would be any less ruthless. One thing I will ding Bernie for is not having a successor planned for after he's gone.

     Tom

I'm looking forward to the day when we can actually say R.I.P. Bernie. Until then nothing will change.

Tom1200 wrote: Bernie Ecclestone is a fairly complex character who is easy to vilify, given his merciless business practices. It's easy to forget he was forced by rebelious drivers lead by Jackie Stewart to be responsible for the safety car, hiring Sid Watkins, other safety measures and has very often given very valuable advice to drivers over the years.

Why don't they follow their past logic and hire Tony Effing George...?

Aussiemg; while no one would ever question Jackie Stewarts leading role in driver safety improvements, Bernie was manager for a couple of drivers who didn't survive. Additionally Ecclestone paid for the safety car and Sid Watkins with his own money initially. Also note Bernie's involvement with running things is post Jackie Stewart, and Sir Jackie's beef was with circuit owner. Same goes for Max Mosely we don't like him but you cannot ignore the contributions to safety. There is a gut wrenching account of Bernie's efforts attempting to get proper medical treatment for Stuart Lewis-Evans.........again I am no way trying to say Bernie is wonderful but I am also keenly aware that post Bernie things may get much worse before they get better.

  Tom

Bernie will be involved in F1 and controlling it until he dies.