This will be Formula One’s second season without Bernie Ecclestone in the driving seat. While it’s hard to deny that Formula One was in desperate need of new management and that there have been massive improvements to the health of the sport since he left, I can’t help but feel sorry for Bernie.
Bernie was a prominent figure in Formula One for a large portion of his life. He helped grow Formula One from the small sport of the past to the commercial empire that it has become. He certainly didn’t do it all purely for the love of the sport, collecting a fair few millions in the process, but it’s clear that his passion for the sport was there. Although his actions were at times questionable, no one is perfect.
When Liberty Media took over at the start of the year, it was largely expected that Bernie would continue to be the head man of Formula One, but then Chase Carey took over the position. Bernie wasn’t entirely kicked out of the sport, having been granted the position of Chairman Emeritus, a largely powerless position.
Nevertheless, Bernie hasn’t appeared at very many races, which was a rare event when he was in power. I’m sure it’s not that he doesn’t want to, but rather that he just isn’t that welcome at any of the events. And that makes me feel sad for him.
Yes, it was time for Bernie to leave the sport, as his leadership was becoming a bit of a hinderance and causing some damage to the sport of Formula One. But it’s still a shame to see him cast out of the business that he worked tirelessly to grow. I can’t help but feel that he deserves more respect.
It must be hard to suddenly have everything that you have been working on for more than four decades pulled out from under you and then have yourself thrown to the side of the road. All that is ever mentioned are the bad things that he did for the sport, but no one ever mentions any of the good things.
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