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Infamous Christmas card Ecclestone need not be so feared this year
- GPblog.com
Every year, Bernie Ecclestone makes fun of many Formula 1 drivers and Formula 1 teams by sending a special Christmas card. This year, the former boss of motorsport's premier class has not put an end to that tradition, although the message is very different this time.
Last season, he poked fun at the 'We Race As One' concept with his own Christmas card. The 92-year-old Brit also took no hard line when it came to the many controversial decisions of the FIA and stewards in 2021. In doing so, he supported Max Verstappen, as Ecclestone's 'advice' to the Dutchman was to stop racing so hard, as that is not apparently not allowed in Formula 1 these days.
Approach in 2022 is different
Ecclestone made a conscious decision this year not to make fun of everything and everyone again like in recent years. "I think my message would have got me into even bigger trouble than in the past," he is quoted by Swiss magazine Blick as saying."So I thought we should all remember a person who was really good for Formula 1 in every way!"
By this, Ecclestone is of course referring to Dietrich Mateschitz, the owner of Red Bull who died this year. According to the British billionaire, it was more appropriate this year to dwell on Mateschitz and all that he brought to Formula 1.
Ecclestone has a Christmas wish
Furthermore, Ecclestone claims to have a Christmas wish for 2023 after all: to officially approve the F1 entry of Andretti's team. The American team is making every effort to enter Formula 1 in 2024, but the current teams in the premier class of motorsport seem to be obstructive. This is mainly also due to financial reasons.
"The Andretti name would be very good for the sport, which is now spreading more and more in America. Many teams are just afraid that they would have to share the billion-dollar pie with an eleventh team. But according to the rules, only the top 10 teams continue to pocket this money [for the first two years]. Where is the problem? Surely nothing would change until two years after joining!" said Ecclestone.