F1 boss (Bernie Ecclestone) likens Danica to 'domestic appliance'

FOXSports.com ^ | June 19, 2005

[jern]

Danica Patrick has surged onto the open-wheel racing world, but that might not be sitting well with the old-school boss of Formula One racing. Formula One is getting its most high-profile United States presence with the U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend, but Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone doesn't seem to be too crazy about Patrick joining her male competitors on the track, despite her recent Indy 500 success. "She did a good job, didn't she? Super. Didn't think she'd be able to make it like that," Ecclestone told a gathering of reporters about Patrick's Indy 500 finish. "You know, I've got one of these wonderful ideas that women should be all dressed in white like all the other domestic appliances," Ecclestone added. Ecclestone has controlled Formula One for 25 years, amassing a fortune estimated at $3.7 billion. He has a holding company which operates some of F1's commercial ventures, ranging from television rights to sponsorships. But nine of the F1's 10 teams are in dispute with Eccletone and others over the running of the sport and have threatened to start their own series in 2008. Only Ferrari has signed to stay with Ecclestone after the 2007 season.

[Baynative]

"...women should be all dressed in white like all the other domestic appliances,"

What a class act.

[gopwinsin04]

Sounds like Bernie is being a bit of a 'domestic appliance' himself.

[spetznaz]

Only Ferrari has signed to stay with Ecclestone after the 2007 season.

I'm a fan of Ferrari in F1 (actually more a fan of Michael Schumacher), but there is definitely a pro-Ferrari bias that is as clear as day. I'm surprised the other teams have stomached it for this long.

[Perdogg]

I think that was a rude remark. However, Danica is going to have stop the cheesecake pictures until she wins. This is hard for me to say because I like the pictures.

She is not going to be perceived as serious as long as she's doing the pictures and finishing 13th.

Yes she did do well in the Indy 500. Her race last week, was pretty disappointing.

[TomB]

After Bernie's debacle today, he's in no position to talk about others.

The man is walking scum.

[SIDENET]

"You know, I've got one of these wonderful ideas that women should be all dressed in white like all the other domestic appliances,"

That statement pretty much speaks for itself.

All that money and he can't buy taste, class, or a clue.

[twin2]

After that F1 embarrassment at Indy today, I don't think he should be shooting off his mouth. It seems that an American woman is more of a racer than the Euro-weenies that were out there today.

[Felis_irritable]

Bernie has been a horse's posterior for the whole 25 years he has run F1. American oval racing of any type particularly galls him (quote: "That shi**y little oval in Phoenix" et. al). Ms Patrick is a bit sure of herself for my taste, but she's taken the typical route to the big leagues of American open-wheel racing these days and appears to have more than enough talent to do the job. He's just going to have to get over it.

[truth_seeker]

After the dismal episode today in the US Grand Prix (Formula 1) Danica Patrick and the other race series look wonderful by comparison.

I am a very long term fan of Formula 1, but the one driver one car dominance over the last few years has worn thin. Until today, it looked like others would give Michael a run for his money, this year--still might.

But the Michelin blowup, the poor decisions by many, cast this series in bad light for me. I like open wheel, and I like road courses.

The US is a big potential market, where several tracks could host GP events.

[mewzilla]

Isn't Bernie Ecclestone a big Labour supporter in Britain?

[chariotdriver]

I wish Formula 1 was like it was with cars of the late 70's. The March, Lola, Lotus, & Tyrrell vehicles.

Then Le-Mans, the Ferrari 312, Ford GT40, Porsche 908 and 917 series.
I believe if Ford had kept evolving the GT40 they could have beat the Porsche 917.
NOW THAT would be some racing!

[virgil]

I think that lack of competition has been a long term problem in F1 and its because that it is so expensive to get a winning car. You have to have backing from a famous company like Ferrari or Mercedes. I heard that not all of the drivers get paid too. The big names like schumacher get millions of course and are filthy rich. Has to live in the Balearic Isl. to get a tax break. I don't know what NASCAR has been like lately, but it was that a layed-off factory worker could get into it win races and they were more competitive races. I think that's part of the appeal of NASCAR.

[buckeyesrule]

****I think that was a rude remark. However, Danica is going to have stop the cheesecake pictures until she wins. This is hard for me to say because I like the pictures.****

I think the pictures are from a few years ago. I could be wrong about that. She seems capable of turning the switch from model to race car driver. I saw on espn she did an interview where she's talked/flirted her way out of 6 speeding tickets. LOL!

[Perdogg]

She's very cute, no doubt about it! The pictures are relatively recent. The "Anna K" word is already being used in the same breathe as Danica.

[coydog]

He sounds like the Marge Schott of motor sports, and should be dumped for the same reason.

[Red Sea Swimmer]

Bernie Ecclestone proves that wealth does not equal class.

[Lessismore]

I don't know what NASCAR has been like lately, but it was that a layed-off factory worker could get into it win races and they were more competitive races.

One driver, one season is at least $500,000.

[BikerTrash]

I believe if Ford had kept evolving the GT40 they could have beat the Porsche 917.

You meant the Porsche 914...right?

Hyuk hyuk.

Just kidding. Love them GT40s. But the 917 was just too much!

[MikefromOhio]

that guy must be a FReeper.

I have seen simliar comments from a few on here unfortunately...

[henderson field]

Yes, they need to do something to contain the costs. They need to change the rules. Cooper cars set the pattern for all of today's F1 cars (Indy, too). In 1961 an F1 Cooper cost $20,000. It had a tubular space frame, carburetors (not fuel injection), points and condenser. It would go about 180 mph, which is plenty fast. Maybe we need to back up a little in technology to get more participation, and particularly more American participation including drivers.

[You Dirty Rats]

Bernie should be dressed in bright yellow or orange like all of the other power tools. Between this asinine comment and the fiasco at Indy today the man has managed to alienate the American market. What a complete jackass!

[chariotdriver]

The Porsche 917, circa 1969 -- 240 mph down the straight at 24hrs of LeMans

[Tess1]

Can you remember how Danny Sullivan was promoted by the media and agents...? Sex symbol..what is good for one Danny is good for the other Dannie. :)

I think she has the right stuff and will be a force to be reckoned with. Marketing is marketing. As a woman who has lived through the "liberating of women" days, I find it a real joke when someone complains that Danica should not have great photos of her done.

I think back to when the women's lib movement started. All women wanted to be taken seriously so consequently, anyone who was beautiful and promoted themselves as such were harassed. But look what has happened...we now have Paris Hilton, Pam Anderson, Brittney, Lil' Kim, J-LO, and hundreds of stars who promote themselves as sex symbols. ). As long as these folks are rich and call their own shots, it's OK to "sell out" to the sexy image. Right..... that is what it is all about ...selling...
I'm sorry, but as a woman, I've seen the times change and yet stay the same. The average looking woman is ignored and the sexy babe is adored and fawned over in the media. It really hasn't changed. The only real difference is smart talented and even unattractive folks have learned that getting a law degree or medical degree (for example) gets respect and can call their own shots. Beautiful young women will eventually learn that once they age, unless you have a successful business, talent (like race car driving), or come into large amounts of money; you are likely to be "invisible" to the world of men and media. Of course, those folks who find meaningful work, give of themselves to a higher calling will not give a damn about how the world seems them and will survive the aging process.
But that reality is not what we teach our daughters. If you shop like Paris, dance like Brittney, have boobs like Pamela, hair like Jennifer and have a good self image (look good in the mirror) you will live happily ever after. Now we have come a long way baby..now haven't we? hmm?

BTW, I'm 53, attractive, and married 35 years with two wonderful grown boys. I was raised pre lib, lived during lib and learned life is not a race for independence but a race for loving, caring, sharing, giving, learning, knowing all is really in God's hands. He made the young beautiful (mating) and old wise for a reason. :)

Have a great day and enjoy the pictures of Danica, she's young, talented, beautiful, has guts, is smart and just plain cool. She's earned my respect but will improve as a driver and a person with more experience and time.

[ajolympian2004]

This idiot obviously didn't watch Danica Patrick at Indy. A 4th place finish and the fastest lap of the month in May probably puts her a level above anyone in F1.

[chariotdriver]

I like what you say and so much of it really applies to all regardless of gender-sex.
I can't reply to all you have there.. a post become a snapshot.

Is this when we 'bump' or 'ping' for later?

But still, a little respond to a few sentences.


As you say, the more things change the more they stay the same (I paraphrased what you said).

Anyway IMO, WAY to much is made of these false (IMO) symbols &barriers like car racing. Now we find out lots and lots of people can do it(we really knew it all along). I'll ask a question How many of us were really snookered by all of it?

As far as Danica.. I don't know if she really has it for a racing career and I don't think thats what shes in it for, IMO she wants to morph it into more things (ala the Madonna Hilton model) which was really not that model at all, its marketing as you say.
I mean who has ever seen any 105lb man succeed in this kind of competition? Lets take the RAHAL TEAM-CAR OUT IT

I don't speak from 0 knowledge. I've probably went much closer to 'the edge' totally out here on my own than our young Danica ever has. Here is one among hundreds of samples
Imagine an Isle of Mann type motorcycle race. The course looks like I-5 north of Redding -- south of Mt Shasta, circa May 1985 (IE; no traffic). Rounding the side of a mountain downhill left hand turn on a wide fast sweeper(mild off camber) at 130. The heat has caused a mini glacier to melt creating a spontaneous large creek to flow across I-5N roadway. You hit it at speed.. of course at this speed hydroplaning is inevitable, the 900 Ninja goes sideways, it hits dry pavement again.. hot tires hookup U swap-ends approx 5 more times. U Never go down U never stop.. YAHOO!!

Finally you mention all this talk about womens body parts and if they look like a celebrity. As far as I am concerned, I like her t*** b**** a** hair lips eyes, what shes all about, --HER-- because its HER!! Its the woman I see at the mall, the grocery store, and so on in my mundane life

Only I don't know how to convert a conversation about a eggplant into a date!!!

Chariot

[oldenuff2no]

Tess1 great post.
She isn't marketing herself nearly as well as our pro athletes do, and people are still complaining. I hope she kicks their butts in F1 and gives all the smucks more to complain about.

[Perdogg]

Thanks! I see your point!

[rabidralph]

How many races have you won? I doubt that Danica cares what you think about her extracurricular activities. Maybe all the other losing drivers should stop posing for covers of the racing mags and stop giving interviews to the press so they can be more focused on racing?

[Jonah Hex]

However, Danica is going to have stop the cheesecake pictures until she wins.

(whistle) 15-yard penalty, for mentioning cheesecake photos without posting any.

[Moonman62]

However, Danica is going to have stop the cheesecake pictures until she wins. This is hard for me to say because I like the pictures.

I do to. I clicked on this thread to see them and they're not here. I may have to hit the abuse button.

[JoeGar]

Danica is going to have stop the cheesecake pictures until she wins.

I think she's trying to be the Anna Kornikova of motor sports. You don't need to be the best to make a lot of money in your sport. By finishing 4th at Indy, Danica made more from endorsements than Dan Wheldon, the winner.

[Perdogg]

I like the fact that she's engaged to guy my age. Gives average guys like me hope in this world! ;)

[BikerTrash]

Awesome! Thanks.

[Constitution Day]

LOL

[Moonman62]

If you shop like Paris, dance like Brittney, have boobs like Pamela, hair like Jennifer and have a good self image ...

Unless it's covering her butt, I don't think Jennifer's hair gets noticed much, at least by men. Seriously, good post, and independence is overrated.

[buckeyesrule]

Its a bit silly for people to call her Anna K. Anna K has been playing tennis for a number of years and never won anything. Danica is just a rookie and came in 4th place the the only event that most people care about when it comes to non-NASCAR racing. If 5 or 6 years from now she still hasn't won anything then the comparison would hold some water. Besides, I'm sure Danica would never lower herself to dating the NHL. LOL!