Race and classic pictures

Ecclestone puts a twist on F1's call for equality!

Right on cue, Bernie Ecclestone's traditional Christmas greetings were dropped into their recipients' mailboxes this week.

Every year, the former F1 supremo's holiday wishes are awaited with a gripping sense of anticipation, as deciphering Mr. E's holiday message is always an amusing exercise.

This year, the 92-year-old jumped on the "We Race as One" bandwagon, blending the 'equality' theme with a boost of vaccination as the card depicts a group of drivers standing – or taking a knee - for equality, while George Russell and Pierre Gasly get their jab.

However, Bernie's prescription regarding 'equality' also appears to include a sarcastic call for  equal pay among drivers, as suggested by the '$ equal' message on the drivers' t-shirts.

F1's arch-rivals, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, aren't left out of the picture as they are shown racing wheel-to-wheel in a scene captioned with the words "At least some of the cars are equal some of the time!".

Finally, on the back of the card, Bernie lays out the 'rules' for 2022:

"Do not cross the white lines. Help your competitors with a little help from the stewards and do not race".

Seasons greetings race fans!

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Verstappen leads Nürburgring 24 Hours in thrilling closing stages

With less than five hours remaining in the grueling Nürburgring 24 Hours, Max Verstappen has…

2 hours ago

Sainz samples new Madring: ‘You’ve created quite a cocktail’

The Spanish Grand Prix’s future home is still surrounded by construction barriers, deadlines and heavy…

18 hours ago

Ten years on: Marko reveals Horner resisted Verstappen promotion

Helmut Marko has revealed that Max Verstappen’s in-season promotion from Toro Rosso to Red Bull…

20 hours ago

Schumacher and Irvine paint the town red in Monaco

On this day in 1999 in Monaco, a dominant Michael Schumacher secured his 35th career…

21 hours ago

Rosenqvist finds 233 mph magic at Indy on Fast Friday

Sometimes at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, speed doesn’t build gradually – it arrives like it…

22 hours ago

McLaren powers up: Intel returns to F1 after 20-year hiatus

Nearly two decades after its last high-speed venture in Formula 1, American computing giant Intel…

23 hours ago