Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has apologised for his controversial remarks regarding Russia president Vladimir Putin.
Ecclestone sparked a major backlash following a recent interview on British breakfast show 'Good Morning Britain' when he declared Putin to be "a first-class person" and that he would "take a bullet" for him.
The 91-year-old caused further uproar when he claimed Putin was "doing something he believes is the right thing" with his invasion of Ukraine.
Ecclestone additionally claimed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had not 'made enough effort' to negotiate with Putin to resolve the situation and reach a compromise.
Just over a week later, Ecclestone has now finally responded to the criticism he has received for his comments and issued an apology.
Speaking to Sky Sports, a solemn Ecclestone said: "Probably good for me to get some things off my chest. things that have been bothering me about what I've said, and about what people think [about] what I've said.
"Often people come out and say things, or do things, without really too much thinking. Probably I did the same.
"And I can understand people thinking I'm defending what he's done in Ukraine, which I don't.
"I was brought up during the war, the last war, so I know what it's like, and I feel sorry for the people in Ukraine having to suffer for something they haven't done.
"They want to get on with their lives. They want their kids to go to school, they want to try to go to work and earn a living to keep the family going. So they don't deserve to have to suffer.
"It's not good for anybody. I can't see anyone getting anything out of this, and I think they should get together and get an agreement.
"And I'm sorry if it's anything I've said that has upset anybody because it certainly wasn't intended."
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PatrickJuly 9, 2022, 13:48
6
Bernie can put his opinions where the sun doesn't shine. He's outdated, a bigot, racist and a lot more besides. Let him go home and snuggle into his paid partner!!!
YankeeF1July 9, 2022, 21:32
2
Someone tell this buffoon that there have been several wars since WWII. He forgot the Falklands War his own country fought, as well as the Gulf Wars and Afghan War in which his nation was a coalition partner. I wish he would just be ignored now. He's a has-been, and in just a few years, proper professionals have taken F1 to a place he never could have accomplished because he's an elitist conman who looked out for himself at the expense of F1. It's time to end the "it's all because of Bernie" crap. We had a Bernie in the US. His name was Al Davis. In the end he hurt his team more than he benefitted it, and some day, people will realize the same is true of Bernie.
BobRichardson05July 9, 2022, 22:35
1
Come on Bernie you are 91, surely someone at some point told you to think before you speak. Be careful because if you keep backtracking on everything you say you are going to trip yourself going backwards and if you hit your head you are going to die.
Moral of the story is THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK
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Bernie can put his opinions where the sun doesn't shine. He's outdated, a bigot, racist and a lot more besides. Let him go home and snuggle into his paid partner!!!
Someone tell this buffoon that there have been several wars since WWII. He forgot the Falklands War his own country fought, as well as the Gulf Wars and Afghan War in which his nation was a coalition partner. I wish he would just be ignored now. He's a has-been, and in just a few years, proper professionals have taken F1 to a place he never could have accomplished because he's an elitist conman who looked out for himself at the expense of F1. It's time to end the "it's all because of Bernie" crap. We had a Bernie in the US. His name was Al Davis. In the end he hurt his team more than he benefitted it, and some day, people will realize the same is true of Bernie.
Come on Bernie you are 91, surely someone at some point told you to think before you speak. Be careful because if you keep backtracking on everything you say you are going to trip yourself going backwards and if you hit your head you are going to die.
Moral of the story is THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK