I don’t see myself retiring ever: Bernie
26 Aug 2014 6:02 AM IST
Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone (in pic), free from his bribery trial in Germany, says he has no plans to quit after running the show for almost four decades and his current focus is on tackling the popularity issue facing the sport even though ‘it is nothing big and just a phase’.
Ecclestone insisted that his court case, which started in April and ended earlier in the month, did not affect his routine work. ‘I had it all covered actually. The hearings did not make much of a difference. I was busy working on legal matters during weekdays and then I was there in the paddock at race weekends like usual.
Now I will only have more time for the sport,’ Ecclestone told PTI from his London office. The 83-year-old remains a permanent figure in world of Formula One, putting countless rumours on his retirement to rest. His approach has not changed after the Munich trial which he settled by paying a staggering USD 100 million.
‘I have not thought about retirement really and I don’t think I will ever come to that stage. I am here for as long as I can be and as long as I have the support of the stakeholders,’ he said. Asked about his thoughts on fall in spectator interest in F1, Ecclestone said: ‘If there is a decrease in viewership, it is in all sports not only F1. I feel it is just a phase. The racing this season has been exciting and it will all be back to normal very soon.’
Ecclestone insisted that his court case, which started in April and ended earlier in the month, did not affect his routine work. ‘I had it all covered actually. The hearings did not make much of a difference. I was busy working on legal matters during weekdays and then I was there in the paddock at race weekends like usual.
Now I will only have more time for the sport,’ Ecclestone told PTI from his London office. The 83-year-old remains a permanent figure in world of Formula One, putting countless rumours on his retirement to rest. His approach has not changed after the Munich trial which he settled by paying a staggering USD 100 million.
‘I have not thought about retirement really and I don’t think I will ever come to that stage. I am here for as long as I can be and as long as I have the support of the stakeholders,’ he said. Asked about his thoughts on fall in spectator interest in F1, Ecclestone said: ‘If there is a decrease in viewership, it is in all sports not only F1. I feel it is just a phase. The racing this season has been exciting and it will all be back to normal very soon.’
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