EX-FORMULA One chief Bernie Ecclestone has shockingly defended ‘honourable’ Vladimir Putin amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ecclestone, 91, made his comments in an interview with Times Radio – after Putin ordered a military advance into Ukraine.
Bernie Ecclestone has defended ‘honourable’ Vladimir PutinCredit: Reuters
The conflict has seen Russia become a pariah on the world stage, with countries around the globe imposing various financial, business and travel sanctions.
Russian sports stars and teams have also been affected by bans in their respective fields.
However, Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, have failed to take decisive action against athletes despite cancelling the Russian GP.
And it has now emerged that former F1 supremo Ecclestone, who brought a Grand Prix to Russia in 2014, hailed Putin as ‘honourable’ just one day after he attacked Ukraine.
Speaking to Times Radio on February 25, Ecclestone said: “As a person I found him very straightforward and honourable.
“He did exactly what he said he was going to do without any arguments.
“[The Russian Grand Prix] depends very much on what the exact situation is between Ukraine and Russia.
“It’s not going to make any difference if there is a race in Russia to anything else that has happened in the world.
“I suppose it is the people who are engaged in the event who would decide on it, because maybe other people think it was the right thing for Russia to do.
“So how can anyone else judge exactly what is happening today?”
Ecclestone has previously expressed his admiration for Putin, saying in 2019: “If someone had a machine gun and was prepared to shoot Putin, I would stand in front of him because he’s a good guy.
“He’s never done anything that isn’t doing good things for people.”
And in 2017, Ecclestone said: “Honestly, I think the guy should rule Europe. Mr Putin has impressed me more than anyone because he’s a guy who says he’s going to do something and does it.
