Bernie Ecclestone has apologised for his positive remarks about Adolf Hitler and admitted that he had been foolish to describe the Nazi dictator as a man who ‘got things done’.
The remarks were strongly criticised by Jewish groups and politicians, and Ecclestone said he recognised he had made a significant mistake.
“I’m just sorry that I was an idiot,” he said.
“I sincerely, genuinely apologise.” ITV
Click Here For More Formula 1 Photos
His comments, in a newspaper interview, were a huge embarrassment to CVC, which invests money on behalf of Jewish funds. Sir Trevor Chinn, one of Britain’s most prominent Jewish businessmen, is a senior adviser to CVC.
“I am extremely distressed and embarrassed that these remarks have been used as suggesting I support Hitler or Saddam Hussein. I would never support such people,” he said.
“I should never have been so foolish as to have been drawn into discussing these people, but the fault was entirely mine, which I deeply regret. I hope and trust that my apology will be accepted in good faith.” Telegraph.co.uk
Germany’s Central Council of Jews had urged motor racing teams to boycott Formula One. One of its leaders gave a guarded welcome to Ecclestone’s apology but stressed the offence he had caused with his remarks about the man responsible for policies which killed six million Jews.
“If Ecclestone says he was an idiot, I will certainly not contradict him,” Dieter Graumann, vice president of the council, told Handesblatt daily.
“Apologising is better than not apologising. But the glorification of a mass murderer is not a trivial offence.”
German media also reported Guenther Oettinger, premier of the southern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, had cancelled a meeting with Ecclestone on the sidelines of the Nuerburgring grand prix because of his comments about Hitler. Yahoo! Eurosport
