On the eve of the fortieth consecutive version of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Károly Méhes was granted an unique interview with Bernie Ecclestone, the person answerable for bringing Method 1 to Budapest.
I first met Bernie Ecclestone in 1986, on the eve of the very first Hungarian Grand Prix. We chatted briefly outdoors the Resort Duna Intercontinental Resort. I used to be a younger scholar and F1 fan who dreamed of someday writing about my favourite sport. Now, thirty-nine years later, as Method 1 visited Budapest for the fortieth consecutive version of the Hungarian Grand Prix, I used to be granted an unique interview with the previous F1 supremo. Fittingly, our assembly passed off on the identical resort, which is now the Budapest Marriott.
The “Holland” difficulty of Grand Prix Worldwide journal in 1982 introduced that there could be a Soviet Grand Prix the next yr. The article even included a monitor structure. How shut did you get to bringing Method 1 to Moscow?
My purpose was to run Method 1 automobiles via Crimson Sq.! We went to see what we may do, however nothing occurred ultimately. We needed to postpone the whole lot when the Communist social gathering chief Brezhnev died [in November 1982]. We have been unable to proceed negotiations along with his successors. I all the time considered Method 1 as a World Championship, and Russia – or the Soviet Union on the time – was an necessary a part of the world. However ultimately, we gave up on the concept.
You didn’t quit on staging a race behind the Iron Curtain, nevertheless. Your Hungarian pal, Tamás Rohonyi, advised bringing Method 1 to Budapest. What was the most important drawback for you through the negotiations with the Hungarian authorities?
I keep in mind on one event Tamás telling me we needed to meet some authorities officers to debate preparations for the race. It turned out they have been from the KGB. They only wished to be sure that Method 1 wouldn’t trigger any hurt to the Communist regime. On the sensible aspect, I wished to stage the race within the metropolis, on the previous Népliget circuit [then and now, a city park]. However the authorities stated that F1 would disturb the animals and destroy individuals’s holidays. Once we realized it couldn’t occur there, we needed to search for elsewhere. That’s how we ended up in Mogyoród, which has been house to the Hungaroring circuit now for nearly forty years.
Was it a private success for you, bringing Method 1 to a Communist nation?
Sure, completely! The race obtained higher yr on yr, which was satisfying to see. The native organizers advised enhancements and in the event that they regarded smart, we agreed. I’ve all the time stated that Hungary deserves to be on the calendar. Method 1 shouldn’t lose the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Which nation would you prefer to see added to the present F1 calendar?
South Africa. The African continent deserves a race. It’s getting nearer, I feel, however as all the time, it’s a query of politics and discovering the cash.
Out of your time in control of the game, which races have been you disillusioned didn’t work out in the long run?
South Korea and India! I used to be very, very sad after dropping these races. Once more, there was all the time politics within the background. With India it was quite simple. The individuals there did an unimaginable job, actually. However then the cost to us wasn’t carried out accurately, and we didn’t actually know why. It turned out to be a problem with the tax system in India. That’s why we couldn’t proceed, though it was an excellent circuit.
Which race on the present Method 1 calendar is your favourite? Your own home race at Silverstone?
Positively not Silverstone, under no circumstances! If I might be requested which race I might attend, I might most likely say the Canadian Grand Prix. It’s an excellent circuit and Montreal is a really good metropolis. Baku is one other nice metropolis to go to.
Who will win the 2025 drivers’ championship?
The driving force who leads the championship now [Oscar Piastri]. Initially of the season, I stated Verstappen or Piastri. I wouldn’t write off Max fully, nevertheless it appears to be determined already.
You will have all the time been near Ferrari, together with with Enzo. How irritating is it so that you can see the workforce’s ongoing struggles?
It’s fairly unimaginable. Ferrari labored effectively beneath the management of Jean Todt, when he introduced Michael and lots of different personnel from Benetton. For the time being, I can’t say something detrimental in regards to the Italian workers working for Ferrari, however I feel the workforce wants somebody to take cost, discover the correct route and get the job completed. I’m not certain that taking Lewis [Hamilton] was the correct determination. Lewis is clearly proficient, however a bit of bit political, which is typical for Ferrari and typical for him. However he may come to life once more which might be good for him and good for Ferrari.
What about Crimson Bull, have you learnt what occurred behind the scenes when Christian Horner misplaced his job?
It was a bit like a wedding that resulted in a divorce. After Didi Mateschitz’s [Red Bull founder’s] dying, individuals inside Crimson Bull had concepts in regards to the management and route of the workforce that didn’t favor Christian. He did an excellent job, however he was seen, identical to Max Verstappen, as somebody that didn’t have a correct quantity two. It’s laborious to criticize somebody who’s successful races and championships, however there was no plan B in case one thing went fallacious with both Christian or Max.
It was the same state of affairs at Brabham if you have been in cost and Nelson Piquet was your number one. Drivers like Zunino and Rebaque have been nowhere close to the Brazilian.
Sure, precisely. You might be proper. That’s the difficulty when the boss falls in love with one in every of his drivers. This may trigger issues. It’s good to have two roughly equal drivers like McLaren has at the moment. It really works in the event you can ship the very same equipment for each drivers. Once I introduced Riccardo Patrese into the workforce [in 1982], I instructed him that we had three automobiles [one for each driver plus a reserve car] and he ought to select which one he wish to drive. Then there could be no complaints..
Should you have been working a workforce at the moment, which drivers would you signal?
I might signal Piastri. But in addition Hadjar. I hope Bortoleto will get the job completed as a result of it’s all the time good to have a profitable Brazilian on the grid.
What about Hülkenberg? Had been you content to see him end on the rostrum at Silverstone? Would you place him in your automobile?
It’s nice to see Hülkenberg come to life once more. He was fortunate because the race developed, took benefit of it and now most likely he’s feeling like he can win races! And with the correct machine I’m certain he can. However would I rent him? In all probability not. I’ve nothing towards him, however I might go for any person from the youthful era. It might be extra satisfying to select any person and see them succeed reasonably than choosing any person who ought to have succeeded and didn’t.
Going again to your personal racing profession. Let’s clear one thing up as soon as and for all. Was it you behind the wheel throughout qualifying for the 1958 Monaco Grand Prix?
Sure! I sat behind the steering wheel however I requested Stuart Lewis-Evans to place in some fast laps in my automobile… Louis Chiron, who was clerk of the course, found out what had occurred and marched over to me. He banged his flag on the highest of my helmet and stated I shouldn’t have completed it. However we had amusing ultimately about it.
Do you remorse not changing into an F1 driver?
Like each younger man, I felt I may have been a profitable driver. However I wasn’t ready to surrender all of the issues I wanted to surrender in an effort to obtain that success. I ran plenty of companies and after I was 40, I offered all of them and acquired the Brabham workforce.
The place you loved plenty of success, together with two drivers championships with Nelson Piquet.
Sure, true. It was an excellent workforce. I’m nonetheless very shut pals with my drivers from Brabham who’re nonetheless alive. I caught up just lately with Riccardo Patrese and it was good to see him.
Brabham additionally developed the legendary fan automobile, with which Niki Lauda gained the 1978 Swedish Grand Prix.
Sure, it was a bit particular! However it wasn’t disqualified. I withdrew it. Colin Chapman [Lotus] and Teddy Mayer [McLaren] stated to me on the time that it will need to have price some huge cash and would most likely win the championship, nevertheless it was not good for the way forward for FOCA [Formula One Constructors Association), which we were trying to build up at the time. I listened to them and decided to withdraw the car.
.jpg "F1’s long break comes at a good time for Hamilton and Ferrari")