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'I don't think democracy is the way to run anything' - Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone: 'You look back at the end of the year and you see what you've achieved by working out how much money the company has made. That's it' © Getty Images

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Bernie Ecclestone has admitted that Formula One's expansion into areas such as the Far and Middle East and Russia threatens the traditional European homes of the sport.

In an interview with the Guardian, Ecclestone said historic venues were under threat, and circuits such as Spa and Silverstone only survived because of central funding. "If [Spa] wasn't supported by the government over there it probably would go because they wouldn't be able to afford it. It's the same with the British grand prix."

He went on to explain that some of the threatened European venues might decide to pull out because of the costs. "Maybe someone will decide they need a rest because it's not working for them commercially," he said. "A good example is probably Turkey. They've built an incredible circuit and it might even be the best, but there's not much enthusiasm from the public. I don't know why."

Turning to Silverstone, Ecclestone accused the government of failing to invest. "The worst thing is that they have wasted a fortune on the Olympics which will come and go, and be forgotten in a few weeks, when they could have supported Silverstone and made sure the British grand prix is there forever. The only good thing about the Olympics is the opening and closing ceremony. They do a lovely showbiz job. Otherwise, it's complete nonsense."

Asked about criticism that by using Hermann Tilke as designer for all the new venues Formula One was becoming bland, Ecclestone countered: "Our problem is that we're trying to build race circuits that are super safe. You don't get so much up-and-down because you can't just put a new circuit anywhere. But one of the best circuits in the world is Turkey. It's a great circuit that's up-and-down."

And in case anyone thought he might listen to increasing unrest about his expansion plans, he made clear he had no time for consultation. "I don't think democracy is the way to run anything. Whether it's a company or anything you need someone who is going to turn the lights on and off. We had Mrs Thatcher and when she was in charge she did turn the lights on and off. She brought the country to where it was before it got muddled up again.

"I don't get any individual pleasure because we don't win races or titles in this job. I'm like most business people. You look back at the end of the year and you see what you've achieved by working out how much money the company has made. That's it."

He also said he believed Max Mosley "would have been a very good prime minister" and that Saddam Hussein made Iraq a more stable country - "Absolutely. It's been proved, hasn't it?"

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