The former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone said Russian President Vladimir Putin ‘believed he was doing the right thing’ with Ukraine invasion.
In a bizarre claim, former Formula One boss Bernie Eccleston has called Russian President Vladimir Putin a 'first-class person' and claimed he would 'take a bullet for him'.
In an interview with Good Morning Britain, the 91-year-old was asked whether he still stood by his 'friend' Putin, who has waged war on Ukraine since February. In response, the former F1 executive said, "I would still take a bullet for him. I'd rather it didn't hurt, but I would still take a bullet."
When asked why would he take such a drastic step, Ecclestone added, "Because he's a first-class person, and what he's doing is something that he believed was the right thing."
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Bernie Ecclestone thinks 'it's wrong to stop Russian athletes, including drivers, taking part in their sport'.
The former Formula One CEO says 'if Ukraine had wanted to get out of [the war] properly, they could have done.' pic.twitter.com/mWZTrbg5pT
"Unfortunately, he's like a lot of business people, certainly like me. We make mistakes from time to time. And when you've made a mistake, you have to do your best to get out of it," the former F1 boss remarked.
Ecclestone also commented about the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky being a former comedian, saying, "It looks as though he wants to continue that profession."
A spokesperson for F1 reacted to the interview, saying, "The comments made by Bernie Ecclestone are his personal views and are in very stark contrast to the position of the modern values of our sport."
Also read: If Putin was a woman, there would be no Ukraine war: UK PM Boris Johnson
The former head of Formula 1 spoke up for Putin, telling Times Radio last month that he thought the Russian President was "quite direct and honourable." Ecclestone previously stated to The Times that he believed Putin ought to be "ruling Europe."
"He's a good guy. He's never done anything that isn't doing good things for people. I would like him running Europe. We haven't got anybody, so it couldn't be any worse. I am not a supporter of democracy. You need a dictator. As a dictator, you say, 'This is what I'm going to do'. In a democracy, it gets watered down," Ecclestone concluded.
Also read: F1 fans mock Bernie Ecclestone after former boss arrested for illegally carrying a gun
The former F1 boss' shocking claim has sparked a massive social media outrage, with several people trolling Ecclestone for his statement. Here's a look at some of the reactions on Twitter:
Bernie Ecclestone on
Putin - “I’d still take a bullet for him”
Zelenskyy - “he could have stopped the war”
Lewis Hamilton facing racism - “he should get over it”
If he dies before me, I will tell you my Bernie story, but it may not come as a surprisepic.twitter.com/2lUN2BBTIQ
What A prick Bernie Ecclestone Is🤦♂️says he'd take a bullet for Putin🙄Says Putin Is A Decent Man..... WHAT!!!!!
— GET OUT OF OUR CLUB💙 (@YouBearsssssss)Bernie Ecclestone has just compared racial slurs directed towards Lewis Hamilton to himself being called short and that he should just brush it off... He's then gone on and said how he'd take a bullet for Putin 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
— Pete Dixon (@PeteDixon91)OMG Bernie Ecclestone "I'd take a bullet for Putin" he then tells Lewis Hamilton to "get over" racist comments by Nelson Piquet, i always knew he held unsavoury views but condoning racism and Putin is beyond prehistoric, i don't know what else to say
— Loz Argyle ⚓ (@ArgyleLoz)Has Bernie Ecclestone just said he would take a bullet for Putin ??? He’s a good person ???? It’s not intentional what he’s done ??? Is he drugged up ??? Wow !!!! Disgusting stuff
— Tony (@basher5000)Absolutely astonishing to hear Bernie Ecclestone defending Vladimir Putin on just now. Absolute insanity.
— Claire Simpson (@clairelsimpson)Bernie Ecclestone was the most infuriating, embarrassing, cringeworthy interview I’ve seen. How was the fool allowed airtime? Send him to the Ukraine let him see what his mate is doing and let him attempt to talk to his friend Putin! Shameful man
— Sarah Ball (@Sarahlou47)OMG this Bernie Ecclestone interview is so uncomfortable yo watch. First justifying racism, now saying Putin is a "first class person" this is just unbelievable
— Debs (@Debs2500)Bernie Ecclestone's attitude of "I know Nelson Piquet and he didn't mean it really, Lewis should just brush it off", Followed by calling Putin a "first class guy" demonstrates partly why prejudice and racism continues to be a problem. What an out of touch dinosaur!
— Craig Rouse (@CraigRouse8)If Bernie Ecclestone would be willing to take a bullet for his mate Putin...maybe he should be fighting in Ukraine?
Rather than just being a billionaire pivotal component of the fossil fuel industry, on which Putin depends?
The worst interview I have ever heard on the tele; Bernie Ecclestone is a twisted old man 😳🫣
‘I would take a bullet for Vladimir Putin, he’s a very good man’ pic.twitter.com/24nhyNWe00
Bernie Ecclestone preparing to take a bullet for Putin pic.twitter.com/r4ao1XJGGv
— Sarah Dempster (@Dempster2000)Did Bernie Ecclestone just say that Putin is a first class person and people make mistakes from time to time!
This man is unbelievable, he’d even take a bullet for him!! Watch your back I’d say… pic.twitter.com/E5aOuj8uDf
Bernie Ecclestone hitting the headlines today for all the wrong reasons which is the norm now. He says "I’d still take a bullet for first-class person Vladimir Putin". Really - what a joke to the Ukraine & the whole world watching! This man does not fit in with the modern world!
— Jules Morris #ALF #AnimalsMatter (@Julesk23)One of the most shocking interviews I’ve ever heard! Cannot believe Bernie Ecclestone still supports Putin, deluded. Ben and Kates face says it all! pic.twitter.com/eYTwROyfhf
— Liam Chapman-Lyes 🌈 🇺🇦 (@Liamjrc)Bernie Ecclestone on Putin - “I’d still take a bullet for him”
Bernie on Lewis Hamilton facing racism - “he should get over it”
What an absolute dickhead!!!
Bernie Ecclestone shouldn’t even be on , he is clearly quite mad, quite racist and quite the Putin puppet. He would ‘take a bullet’ for Putin but “has no view” on racism in F1. Extraordinary TV though. Is he senile?
— David Yelland (@davidyelland)If Bernie Ecclestone wants to take a bullet for Putin then who here is to stand in the way? Let the man live his dream! You lot are always trying to stop people living their best lives.
— DOGTITS (@Great_O_Hex)Bernie Ecclestone saying he’d “take a bullet for Putin” and “Putin is a first class guy” and also “businessmen make mistakes” when referring to the war in Ukraine.
All Zelensky’s fault too, apparently.
Money is a hell of a drug.
Vile old cunt.
pic.twitter.com/qIRE77jYV1
Bernie Ecclestone is finished. Putin is a war criminal not “a first class person”
The murder of thousands of innocent women and children cannot be trivialized by comparison to “business mistake that people make from time to time”
You insensitive, crass little bastirt 🤬 pic.twitter.com/xNkZ5p20p1
What a creep Bernie Ecclestone is! Thinks there is nothing wrong with what Piquet said and that Putin is a honourable man who he would take a bullet for 🤦🏼♀️ Stop giving the prick airtime.
— Emma Hilton (@EmmHilton1)Bernie Ecclestone on his way to defend Nelson Piquet AND Putin in one speech: pic.twitter.com/RCyQqbrwT3
— Ekagr (@InterTire)BERNIE SHOULD BE ON THE SANCTION LIST.
Ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone says he'd still 'take a bullet' for Vladimir Putin.
During an appearance on Good Morning Britain, Bernie Ecclestone showed support for Russia. pic.twitter.com/jWM1nEb4rr
Bernie Ecclestone says he would "take a bullet" for Vladimir Putin.
Feel free Bernie, nobody is stopping you.