Ecclestone charms the audience

The Straits Times, May 12, 2007
by JEANETTE WANG


RUTHLESS. Intimidating. Tough negotiator.

On any typical day, these words would aptly describe Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

But yesterday was not his typical day.

Not when months of speculation ended with the announcement that Singapore had clinched a five-year deal to host an F1 race, on a street circuit at night, starting next year.

And especially not when Ecclestone, 76, tickled the funny bones of some 100 media members.

'I'm delighted with the way things have gone,' said the F1 Management president, in his opening comments via a teleconference from Barcelona.

'It's not been too easy, I must be honest with you. Normally - without being rude - to deal with government officials isn't too easy.'

To which the chairman of the conference, Minister of State for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran, said: 'Be kind, Bernie, be kind.'

'I'm trying to be honest,' the Briton shot back, prompting laughter from the audience.

In fact, throughout the 30-minute phone call, the silver-haired, diminutive billionaire sported an accommodating and mischievous tone.

When asked why he was so confident about the safety of a night race, despite doubts from McLaren's world champion Fernando Alonso, 25, and Red Bull's David Coulthard, 36, he replied: 'There are two things.

'First, Fernando hasn't been around that long to be a judge of these things. Second, I don't think David will be around driving next year anyway.'

How does he intend to simulate Singapore's wet weather conditions for a test run of the night lighting system in Europe?

'Actually, it will be a bit difficult to do that, unless you have a big hose pipe.'

And how would the Singapore race fit in with Valencia's new street circuit, announced a day earlier?

'Don't worry about it, we'll get that sorted out,' he assured. 'You will be on the calendar, which is more important.'

For Ecclestone, what is more important is that he will have the last laugh - all the way to the bank.