Ecclestone has vowed never to retire.

[Rusty Spanner]

It's a worry but I don't think Bernie has as much control as he once did over everything. With Max gone, FOM and the FIA do not appear to be the united force they once were (even if they did a good impression of fighting in public) plus as long as the teams stay together as FOTA they are much stronger.

Oh and now the world has lost all its money down the back of the sofa I think we - the fans - are more influential than before. Admittedly its only as much influence as a fly has on the truck on who's windscreen its just splattered, but thats still a step up. F1 and Bernie appears to have finally twigged that the whole house of cards comes crashing down if no one is watching.

[Shifter]

I doubt even death could stop him. A good taxidermist and a tape player to create a Bernie-bot - if you will - and we'll never know the difference.

Weekend at Bernies?

[BT46B]

Maybe so. I just remember what a goof I thought Andrew Craig was (former head of CART). And then this guy named Tony George seized control of AOWR... and now it's barely hanging onto life.

I'm certainly no fan of the little man. But I also realize that he lives and breathes Formula One. IMO, it's really ALL he cares about. His wife left him... he didn't miss a beat. That one daughter of his is like the Paris Hilton of Europe... he doesn't miss a beat. All I'm saying is, as bad as one might think one person is, there is always somebody worse out there.

I doubt we'll ever see a powerful figure like Bernie in F1 again. That will have its positives. But it also might have some distinct negatives. A person like Tony George could destroy in a couple of years what it's taken Bernie Ecclestone 30+ years to build. And the team owners in F1 are probably worse than the old CART owners, when it comes to selfishly guarding their interests (above the sport). That's why I hope Bernie is putting together a good, solid succession plan. Remember, Augustus was great. Caligula... not so much.

Holy Sh!t Jag you make several excellent points here (as a refugee from the American OW Racing Wars I state this)

[52Paddy]

I just wish he would have abit of respect for the fans who are willing to go and watch his events, rather than lining his pockets and pleasing investor above all others.

All I can say is that that is part of Bernie's personality and always has been. He's always been getting the best deal and looking after investors since he was very young. Don't think that this is just a new, selfish approach. He's been at it since before the 50s at least.

[ioan]

I'm certainly no fan of the little man. But I also realize that he lives and breathes Formula One.

No, he lives and breathes money.

[Tazio]

No, he lives and breathes money.

Plus one............................................... effing billion

[AAReagles]

I doubt even death could stop him. A good taxidermist and a tape player to create a Bernie-bot - if you will - and we'll never know the difference.

All we need now is ten phrases to program into the Bernie-bot...

lol!!

'death couldn't stop him'.... 'Bernie-bot'??

That's classic! Sounds like an action-figure of an evil movie character.

[journeyman racer]

That's a fair bump.

[veeten]

lol!!

'death couldn't stop him'.... 'Bernie-bot'??

That's classic! Sounds like an action-figure of an evil movie character.

Chucky?... The Terminator??... Emperor Palpatine???....

[A FONDO]

Bernie forever!