Bernie, Max, and Jackie

[Wee Scot]

I've likened Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley to Barnum and Bailey, but their words and actions over the past month have brought into even sharper focus just how poisonous their influence on F1 has become.

First Mosley is persuaded that Stepney and Coughlan's "indiscretions" warrant dismissal of his "good friend" Ron Dennis' championship-leading team and a fine of $100M. Then the rough and ready BE, who reportedly played a leading role in bringing Stepneygate to the front page ("All publicity is good publicity") worked behind the curtain to make sure the Hamilton-Alonso fight for the drivers title wasn't derailed ("Don't throw the babies out with the bathwater!")

But Mosley wasn't content to see Dennis brought low. He had to undercut the FIA decision not to take away the drivers' points by saying a Hamilton or Alonso title would be "tainted."

Then Ecclestone just yesterday speaks of how Hamilton is F1's savior, while Alonso and Raikonnen have done nothing for the sport! Bernie likely thinks of himself as a demigod, but you'll more likely find his picture in your dictionary under demagogue! It seems he's always stayed a step ahead of everyone both by guile and by making sure he gives the people what they want!

I was very happy to read that Mosley was finally brought down a notch by none other than Damon Hill! The 1996 WDC, who himself had to deal with more than his share of ridicule and abuse during his short but dignified career, landed a body blow on the pompous and imperious head of the FIA.

Damon Hill defends legend Jackie Stewart
By Kevin Garside in Shanghai
telegraph.co.uk

A bitter conflict between Formula One grandees raged last night after former world champion Damon Hill attacked Max Mosley, president of Formula One's ruling body, the FIA, over "insulting" remarks he made about British motor racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart.

Mosley labelled Stewart, a lifelong sufferer of dyslexia, "a certified halfwit", and likened him to a Thirties music hall performer during a lunch last month with journalists. The insult caused offence, not only to Stewart and his family, but to his many admirers throughout the sport and beyond.

In a letter to F1's trade magazine Autosport, Hill spoke for many when he said: "To call him 'a certified halfwit' would be on the first level unkind, but on another level is nothing other than a wicked joke designed to visit the utmost humiliation on its victim.

"Regardless or not of whether he was alluding to his dyslexia, what he said was a gross insult to one of the sport's leading figures over the last four decades and a thrice world champion. Not only is it bad manners, it also calls into question the character and judgment of the man who represents motor sport throughout the world through the august institution of the FIA.

"It is conduct most unbecoming of an FIA president and, in my humble view, brought the sport into disrepute, a crime he seems so keen to eradicate."

Hill closed with a crushing flourish: "I would like to emphasise that my motive for writing is sheer indignation and outrage at what I see as abuse."

Hill's missive leaves Mosley, who has a few high-placed enemies of his own in F1, holed beneath the waterline. Stewart is understood to be considering legal action.

The issue of an immediate apology is the least Mosley needs to do to rescue his dignity, not to mention his authority. Mosley is an erudite man with a keen intellect. But on occasions, he can be too clever by half.

[Revvin]

Moseley never mentioned Stewarts dyslexia so for Hill to do it now and suggest this is perhaps what Moseley meant is just as cheap and underhand as anything Moseley has said.

[Lunsmann]

You would think, given Moseley's family history, that he would be more careful with his words, thoughts and actions.

[washington96]

He may not have mentioned Stewarts dyslexia, but even if he wasn't alluding to this, these are still very silly comments to be made about a former world champion who is still a recognised figure in F1 and still will be when Mosely finally packs his bags and leaves F1.

These comments are totally unbecoming from a person who is the head of the FIA and only casts doubt's on Moselys capability to be able to do the job he has been appointed to do.

I for one have very little faith in the FIA and haven't since Mosely was placed at the helm. He gets far too involved at a personal level to be able to rule F1 with a level head.

As for Bernie, well he's far too busy selling F1 off to the east to get too involved with the actual racing these days.

[GEISHA]

I can only add that Mad Max is ruling a far lesser F1 world from his office at present in comparison with the years when JYS was king on the tracks.

It goes to show how rock bottom the manufactured F1 world of today has sunk.

[Raikku]

But aren't they funny...


While talking 'bout past, if i remember right, J.M.Balestre was true dictator when he was in the lead.

[Andy77]

Originally Posted by GEISHA

I can only add that Mad Max is ruling a far lesser F1 world from his office at present in comparison with the years when JYS was king on the tracks.

It goes to show how rock bottom the manufactured F1 world of today has sunk.

Not only king on tracks but King Of The N'Ring too

[Geoffers]

I bet if a poll was taken of who should be head of the FIA, Moseley or Stewart, Wee Jackie would win by a landslide!

[halfcolours]

Well Jackie is without a doubt the worlds first modern superstar racing driver. His crusade for driver safety has saved the lives of countless drivers over the years. He had the good sense to retire at the top of his game and most importantly, took intelligent race commentary to the United States

[alan1272]

however much you do dislike mosley and bernie(and i do dislike that son of a fascist), you cannot deny that they have put F1 in an incredibly strong financial and stable position. there are no driver strikes any more and when was the last time a team boycotted a race?

[Roger]

I agree Alan - and have often harboured those thoughts - In fact I think Bernie is a bit of star; even if he does march to his own beat.

Max's comments are an absolute disgrace - not even fit for the playground let alone for the person in charge of running world motorsport.

If he can't keep is comments to the facts and just HAS to get personal; how much confidence should have that he can take an unbiased and balanced view of other matters? Given the power he has (and there is little doubt his influence is far reaching in many judgements) - we should be able to have the confidence that it is being wielded for the good of motorsport rather than for reasons of personal vendetta.

For such an intelligent man - I find his arrogance and rudeness astounding. He is entitled to his views, but I don't believe he is entitled to express them quite as candidly.

Not fit for office...................

[snowy]

I find it laughable that any one could describe Max as an intelligent man, he has masterminded the fiasco that is modern F1! It is not sound financially, with smaller teams always on the brink of financial collapse while others spend the budget some nations wish they had to spend, many of the teams and manufacturers were on the brink of splitting from the FIA only a few short months back. We have refueling, fuel burn laps during qualifying whilst top of the agenda is supposedly move toward an ecological F1. The list of idiotic and incomprehensible legislation is endless. And Max is the main propogator of stupid ideas, hardly a week goes by without him opening his mouth and coming out with another pile of s**t. He makes me puke and this latest slanderous and vile statement is just the tip of a festering pile of s**t that he has been leaving in his wake for the past 30 years.

[GEISHA]

he has masterminded the fiasco that is modern F1!

One could argue about the financial side of the F1 world.
I.M.O. it has become a money go round circus with people at the helm who have a glutenous appetite for more, more and then even more, and that is not enough.
Some teams have heaps of money, others have one foot in the grave.
Some teams employ motorhomes the size and the price of a 747 (without any significant result on the track).
I wonder what the sport benefits from that.
Money comes first, second and third, and after a long wait there seems to be something that used to be a sport.
The price for a few tenths of a second faster per lap might be a couple of 100 million bux a year, to justify that you are the best.

To me the aspect of a lack of sportsmanship and the sheer size of a childish soap series developing amongst teams, drivers and everything around it, has brought a low face to F1.
Apparantly Max and Bernie don't care about that. They fit in nicely and even seem to fuel this by making silly remarks.

Finally the Tyrrell which was Stewart's vehicle that brought him much succes was built and housed in a wooden shed on the premises of Ken.

[Roger]

Jackie writes to Max.........."it's not clever and it's not furry"

[Revvin]

It sounds like things are goign to get nasty according to this article where Stewart does not rule out legal action of Moseley's comments

That legal option is still very open. My lawyers advised me I have every right to do so – and that’s an option I am able to take up. We are in communication – I’m not personally, but my lawyers are in communication with Mr. Mosley.

Of course Stewart is no saint either, Ecclestone took legal action against him a few years ago when Stewart said Ecclestone reneged on a deal over Silverstone, he's also been quick to snipe from the sidelines over the McLaren/Ferrari spy scandal.

I think someone needs to knock their heads together and tell them to call it quits, neither of them will come out of this looking any better than the other.

Source: Formula1.net