The Race F1 Rewind

Bernie Ecclestone: His three decades as F1’s most powerful man (Part 2)

The Race F1 Rewind

Show Notes

Matt and Richard round off season 2 of the pod with the second half of our mini-series on Bernie Ecclestone, the man who, as F1's long-term commercial rights holder, did more than anyone else to turn the sport into the global spectacle it is today. Having charted his rise to power in part 1, on this episode, Matt and Richard reappraise what life was like with Bernie ruling the F1 paddock, for the most part alongside his old friend (and FIA president) Max Mosley. They discuss how he took control of F1's commercial rights (or stole them, according to Ken Tyrrell), the tactics and methods he used to get what he wanted, how he was able to bring in huge revenue and grow the global fanbase, and the controversies that mired his tenure at the top. Matt and Richard also reflect on Bernie's F1 legacy, and what they learned from the many times they interviewed and interacted with him over the years. Want to listen ad-free? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon! Head to Patreon.com/therace Buy some Colossally merch! Visit The Race Shop Follow The Race on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook Check out our latest videos on YouTube Download our app on iOS or Android

A Race Media Production Producer: Jonny Reynolds With special thanks to Tim Silvey for studio support

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from The Race F1 Rewind

Oct 22, 2026

In the latest episode of The Race F1 Rewind, Edd Straw and Mark Hughes dig into the truth about Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari exit in 2006, which brought the curtain down on a period of unprecedented dominance that included five drivers’ and six constructors’ world titles and 72 Schumacher victories. They explain the circumstances around the news breaking and explore the conspiracy theory that Schumacher was pushed out, before hitting the fast forward button and speculating on what might have happened if Schumacher had never left.

Oct 8, 2026

Peer into the Red Bull garage on an F1 race weekend and the chances are you’ll see Max Verstappen’s dad, Jos, somewhere in the background, keeping a close eye on his son. But how much do you know about the part Jos played in Max becoming the driver he is today?

Sep 24, 2026

When Fernando Alonso eventually decides to hang up his helmet, he'll rightly be remembered as one of the finest drivers as his generation - but also as someone who could and probably should have won even more, had he made some different career choices. And that description could just as easily be applied to a driver from an earlier era of F1: John Surtees.

Sep 10, 2026

On the latest episode of The Race F1 Rewind, Edd Straw and Mark Hughes examine the formative years of Ayrton Senna's F1 career, and a time when the Brazilian regularly ruffled the feathers of more established drivers with his scintillating speed and unusual single-mindedness. While his later championship-winning years with McLaren were where his megastardom was cemented, Edd and Mark explain how Senna's three seasons at Lotus (from 1985 to 1987) provided the crucial foundation for his legendary career and set the template for the 'young driver in a hurry' prototype since replicated by modern F1 greats.

Aug 28, 2026

In the very first episode of our new F1 history podcast, The Race F1 Rewind, hosts Edd Straw and Mark Hughes look back at Sebastian Vettel’s six-year stint with Ferrari and a partnership that promised much, but delivered nothing like what was hoped for.

See all episodes →