Ecclestone apologises for Hitler comments (Roundup)

London - Bernie Ecclestone has apologised for an interview in The Times newspaper, where the Formula One supremo praised Adolf Hitler for his ability 'to get things done'. Writing Tuesday in the same newspaper, Ecclestone admitted making the statement, but added that it was not what he meant to say. 'Not surprisingly it has upset a number of people in the Jewish community, in Germany and elsewhere. Those who dont know me think I support Hitlers atrocities; those who do know me have told me how unwise I was to articulate my points so badly that it should have been so widely misunderstood,' he told The Times. 'In a sense it illustrates the point I was really trying to make. Politicians these days struggle to get things done. They are trying to put themselves in a position where they can win an election, so they constantly have to compromise, rather than saying what they really believe. As a result, when faced with a serious financial crisis, things arent being done that should be done.' Ecclestone's apology comes as a result of an interview with the British newspaper last Friday where he praised the virtues of strong leadership and condemned contemporary politicians for their weakness. Apart from his comments about Hitler, the 78-year-old went on to support the concept of a government based on tyranny. 'Politicians are too worried about elections,' he told the paper. Ecclestone's comments have since unleashed bemusement and criticism from Jewish groups while the Briton has also cancelled a planned visit Thursday to the opening of a new leisure centre at the Nuerburgring circuit ahead of this weekend's German Grand Prix. The Nuerburgring GmBH company that runs the track refused to give reasons for the cancellation, saying only that Ecclestone had informed it of his decision in a phone call. On Monday, Guenther Oettinger, prime minister of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, called off a meeting scheduled with Ecclestone for this Sunday at the Nuerburgring over the financially troubled Hockenheimring because of the remarks. The chief executive of the Formula One Group reacted with surprise to the news. 'As far as I'm concerned I am to meet him at 12 o'clock on Sunday. Nobody has said anything to the contrary to me,' he said. It remains unclear whether the Briton will make an appearance at this weekend's German GP.