Ecclestone reportedly asked Silverstone to change its date to host the 1000th GP

How many Grands Prix Formula 1 have you attended, out of the 999 organized so far?

Someone tried to count the other day and it was over 800.

Will you be in China this weekend?

I will watch the race from London. I was supposed to go to Shanghai, but I changed my mind. A month ago I suffered from food poisoning and I don't feel completely recovered. I don't see myself traveling to the other side of the world at the moment.

I will probably go to Baku (Azerbaijan, April 28, Editor's note), then I will probably be in Barcelona (May 12, Editor's note) with Donald MacKenzie (President of CVC Capital Partners, the company that held control of F1 before Liberty Media . Editor’s note).

How does it feel to go to a round of the world championship in your new role?

It's completely different naturally, because I want to participate but I know I can't. So it's a little frustrating. I'm happy because I find people I know in the paddock. Most of the promoters are good friends and I'm always taken care of very well.

I just have to keep my mouth shut. If I were still in charge, I would have asked Silverstone to change its date to accommodate the 1000th Grand Prix. Because the first race in history took place there. If the organizers had told me that they were afraid of losing money, I would have arranged to find a system that would have covered the losses.

Discover the full interview with Bernie Ecclestone in issue 2212 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version and on newsstands.