Before Liberty Media took over Formula 1 in 2017, the organization was in the hands of Bernie Ecclestone. It had been since 1978. In a rein that lasted 40 years, the F1 Supremo wasn’t the most popular person in the paddock. His outdated vision for F1 didn’t help his case either. But now, even after stepping away from F1, he can’t seem to get in the good books of people. This time, it’ll be Max Verstappen and his Orange Army whom he angers.

Ecclestone has been a major topic of conversation in the paddock over the past few months. First, it was his role in Felipe Massa filing a lawsuit against the FIA to claim the 2008 title. Then, he was accused of fraud. One month ago, he pleaded guilty to that fraud, but his prison sentence got suspended. Last week, the 93-year-old attended the Brazilian GP where he had an interesting conversation with NOS.

Verstappen may like Zandvoort, but it’s not Ecclestone’s “favorite”

The Dutch GP was part of the F1 calendar from 1952 to 1985, and after a 35-year hiatus, it returned in 2021. Circuit Zandvoort is an old-school track that drivers find interesting to navigate. Located in the dunes of the Netherlands, its banked corners and its fast, sweeping, challenging curves make for an eventful lap. That’s how we know it today. But Bernie Ecclestone, who witnessed what it was like back in the day, begged to differ.

In his interview with NOS, Ecclestone said, “It was a gang. It was a bad circuit, although there were more of them in those years.” [Translated by Google] Ecclestone felt the circuit had lost its charm. It was dilapidated and, more crucially, dangerous. So he decided it’d be best if F1 didn’t return to the Netherlands. After F1 announced in 2019 that the Dutch GP would return, Ecclestone even told NOS that he never thought the sport would return to the “gang” in the dunes. “Actually, it’s never really been a favorite of mine. So many bad things have happened,” he added.

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In 1970 and 1973, two drivers died while racing at the circuit. But since its return in 2021, nothing gravely dangerous has happened (not if you count Daniel Ricciardo fracturing his hand after a crash). “Hopefully we’ll be away from that now,” added Ecclestone. Since 2021—following significant changes to the track to make it F1-ready—it’s been Max Verstappen’s race. Apart from the home support, his dominance is the reason F1 has signed a contract with the circuit till 2025, per Ecclestone. He believes that until the three-time champion is racing, F1 will return to the Netherlands.

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When asked what he expects to happen when Verstappen retires, he said, “Who knows? Maybe we will lose a few races. 24 races on the calendar is too many, a few will be canceled,” subtly suggesting that he wouldn’t mind if the race—which isn’t his favorite—were to leave the calendar yet again. As much as Verstappen and the Orange Army wouldn’t like what Ecclestone had to say, they’d sure like what he had to say about the Dutch lion himself.

Max Verstappen is the “best driver ever”

Since Max Verstappen joined F1, he’s established himself as a force to be reckoned with. He’s a 26-year-old who already has three championships, 52 wins, and 96 podiums under his belt. His achievements speak for themselves. Another driver whose accolades speak for themselves is Verstappen’s 2021 rival, Lewis Hamilton. Until Verstappen went up against Hamilton in 2021 and won his first championship, he was never actively referenced in conversations about the sport’s greats. But since that season, and the two seasons that have followed, he’s ensured he’d talked about just as much as anyone else.

Naturally, the debate about who is the better driver between Hamilton and Verstappen started. Bernie Ecclestone gave his take on the subject. In an interview with Daily Mail, the 93-year-old said, “Max is the best driver ever. No doubts. I used to say, Alain Prost. Now, I would say Max. He’s the greatest. He is the brightest with regards to getting the best out of the car. He doesn’t muck around and gets right on the program. In my list, he is above Lewis Hamilton.” The Orange Army would sure like to hear that.

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Do you think the Dutch GP will leave the calendar once Max Verstappen hangs up his boots?