Bernie Ecclestone has 'a thousand more ideas' to pursue at F1 helm
Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone insists he has no plans to slow down and has 'a thousand more ideas' to pursue at the sport's helm
His comments come after Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo suggested the Briton may be getting too old to run F1.
Ecclestone poured scorn on the assertion, saying that even now he was balancing his duties for the FIA World Motor Sport Council with attempts to resurrect the Turkish Grand Prix, which lost its place on the F1 calendar for 2012.
"I don't feel 82, and as a matter of fact I'm now going to Geneva, then to Istanbul to see if we can get back the Turkish GP and [will then] participate at the World Council," Ecclestone told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"And I'm not stopping here, I have a thousand more ideas.
"Do I look in such a bad shape, two weeks after the USA GP that I wanted and somehow created?
"I'm 82 and nobody can deny that. But time ago I used to discuss things with an 88-year-old gentleman when Luca was a 40-year-old. His name was Enzo Ferrari.
"Believe me, at that age he could make me shiver because he was terribly tough, incisive and clear-minded."
Ecclestone also played down his spat with the Ferrari boss, adding: "Anyway, I respect his opinion. It's no drama.
"More than once he has attacked me, but in the end we understand each other. I don't have hard feelings towards him."
Silverstone announces improvements to avoid repeat of 2012 traffic
Celebrating Peter Sauber: F1 survivor
Alex Zanardi open to Daytona 24 Hours or Indianapolis 500 bid
Alex Zanardi open to Daytona 24 Hours or Indianapolis 500 bid Alex Zanardi open to Daytona 24 Hours or Indianapolis 500 bid
Giacomo Agostini says Rossi and Lorenzo will renew hostilities
Giacomo Agostini says Rossi and Lorenzo will renew hostilities Giacomo Agostini says Rossi and Lorenzo will renew hostilities
Working Men: Interview with Ferrari's Test Drivers
Working Men: Interview with Ferrari's Test Drivers Working Men: Interview with Ferrari's Test Drivers
Sargeant handed penalty for third car rules breach ahead of F1 Japanese GP
Sargeant handed penalty for third car rules breach ahead of F1 Japanese GP Sargeant handed penalty for third car rules breach ahead of F1 Japanese GP
Live: F1 Japanese GP updates
Live: F1 Japanese GP updates Live: F1 Japanese GP updates
Hamilton: Lack of rear downforce leaves W14 on "knife-edge" at Suzuka
Hamilton: Lack of rear downforce leaves W14 on "knife-edge" at Suzuka Hamilton: Lack of rear downforce leaves W14 on "knife-edge" at Suzuka
BTCC Silverstone: Rookie Doble takes shock pole
BTCC Silverstone: Rookie Doble takes shock pole BTCC Silverstone: Rookie Doble takes shock pole
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again How McLaren has revamped its F1 team to become a contender again
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.