Bernie Ecclestone: F1 has clear conscience over Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The eighth stage of world championship "Formula 1" European Grand Prix started in Baku. Eleven teams, with two drivers in each, will compete in the race. The specially constructed street circuit will see F1 cars race around the stunning downtown area of Baku, incorporating its UNESCO-protected old city - Icheri Sheher historical-architectural reserve - as well as its modern skyline and beautiful Caspian Sea promenade. 

Vestnik Kavkaza continues to publish articles of the Western press, dedicated to Baku stage of Formula 1. This time we present the article of The Guardian, dedicated to F1 owner Bernie Ecclestone's answer to criticism of the Western human rights organizations.

 

Bernie Ecclestone insists Formula One has a “100%” clear conscience despite the sport facing criticism on its arrival in Azerbaijan for the oil-rich state’s first race.

A number of campaign groups, Amnesty International being the most recent, have called on the sport to take a public stance against Azerbaijan’s human rights record.

In a statement released on Wednesday night, Amnesty International said: “Formula One should use its influence and publicly call on the Azerbaijan authorities to end their crackdown on human rights.”

But when asked if Formula One has a clear conscience before Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix on the streets of the capital city Baku, Ecclestone, 85, replied: “Absolutely, 100%.”

Leading Formula One officials met Sport For Rights – another campaign group who urged Ecclestone to speak out against President Ilham Aliyev’s regime, and call for the release of political prisoners – on Monday with further discussions planned.

“Yes, we are [taking the issue seriously], of course,” added Ecclestone, who was not present at the talks. “We have been in correspondence and we have assurance from here that they are looking into all these things.

“We listen, obviously, and if people have got a genuine complaint there is not a lot we can do, because in all fairness I think you would get into trouble in most countries if you were very, very anti some government or political people, or in fact anybody, so it is not quite as easy as that.”

Ecclestone added: “The minute people tell me what human rights are then you can have a look at them and see how and when and where it applies. Do any of you know what human rights are?”

When it was put to Ecclestone that some journalists had been prosecuted for speaking out against the regime, he replied: “So they should. It depends what they say. You say they write negative things. It depends what they write.

“I tell you what we ought to do – as far as we are concerned – not have any races where there is corruption in the country. Can you tell me where we are going to be racing? There are a lot of people starving in the world and you would think they have got something to complain about.”

Baku will stage the inaugural race against the picturesque backdrop of the old city walls just seven days after the Canadian Grand Prix. At nearly four miles in length, it is the second longest on the calender.