German Politicians Cancel Meeting with Ecclestone Due to Pro-Hitler Comments

As apologetic as Bernie Ecclestone was towards the Jewish community after his misinterpreted pro-Adolf Hitler comments the other weekend – expressed via an interview with London's Times newspaper – he couldn't stop the German politicians from canceling their meeting with the Formula One boss, scheduled for the upcoming weekend at Nurburgring.

The 78-year old Brit was expected to join talks with Baden-Wurttemberg state premier Gunther Oettinger in order to find a solution to safeguarding the dying Hockenheim circuit. Earlier last month, the German officials confirmed they have withdrawn their financial support for the Hockenheim venue, leading to its scrap from the 2010 calendar.

During the course of the same weekend, Ecclestone is to confirm plans to include Bulgaria in Formula One's 2011 schedule.

However, following Ecclestone's comments in the British newspaper, the German official has now confirmed he will not meet the F1 boss this weekend. Spokesman Christoph Dahl was very clear on the reason why the representatives of Baden-Wurttemberg are refusing the meeting – according to news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur – pointing to the controversy stirred by Bernie's “political views.”

In addition, the German Central Council of Jews has been one of the first international bodies to react to Ecclestone's comments, condemning the F1 supremo for his actions and urging the German politicians to cancel all discussions with such a prominent figure of world's motorsport.

“One must not negotiate with fascists. One must condemn them and spurn them," the Council's deputy head Dieter Graumann said, as reported by the GMM news agency.