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Bernie Ecclestone almost smiled with satisfaction in the sunshine, survived a few warm bear-hugs from men in suits and kept a straight face.
On Friday’s opening day at the inaugural Russian Grand Prix, an event he had sought to create for 40 years, Formula One’s long-serving commercial ringmaster had every reason to smile.
He had tried in Moscow and at St Petersburg, but found success unexpectedly at the Black Sea resort where the mountains of Krasnaya Polyana and the Rosa Khutor ski runs beyond shimmered in the distance.
But, five days on from Jules Bianchi’s catastrophic life-threatening accident at the Japanese Grand Prix, there was an air of gloom in the paddock at the circuit built within the Olympic Park, created to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
As Bianchi’s fellow-Frenchman Alain Prost stopped to speak to Ecclestone, the body language was clear. Deep concern for the 25-year-old Marussia driver dominated all feelings.
But Ecclestone, 83, one of the great survivors in world sport, had to keep one eye on the wider perspective as Sochi hosted one of the most controversial races of modern times, following Russia’s actions in the Crimea and eastern Ukraine and the sanctions that invoked.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, who is also head of the organising committee for the F1 race at Sochi, was another visitor, along with Krasnodar Region Governor Alexander Tkachev.
Together they drew attention to the possibilities and prospects for their country’s economic development thanks to hosting Sunday’s race.
“This is a very important event for the development of both the motor sport and the automobile industry,” Kozak was quoted by RIA Novosti.
“We made it possible together with the preparation for the Olympics.”
In the subdued atmosphere of concern as Bianchi battled for life in hospital in Japan, few drivers noticed or cared for much beyond their own concerns, never mind the venue’s Olympic connections.
One who did, however, was another Frenchman, Romain Grosjean of Lotus, whose grandfather was not only an Olympian, but an eminent winter sportsman.
“My grandfather competed twice in the Olympic Games, in 1948 and 1952, so it means quite a lot to me,” he explained.
“I think it’s good that we come here because the Olympic Games is a huge event and I love skiing. I should have been a skier. Racing was kind of a second choice for me, so it’s good to be here.”
Fernand Grosjean represented Switzerland at St Moritz in 1948 and in Oslo in 1952, skiing in the downhill and the giant slalom respectively, finishing eighth and 11th.
In opening practice on Friday, Grosjean finished in 16th place. Given that, and his struggles this year, he said he would be happy with the better of his grandfather’s results in Sunday’s race around the stadiums used to host Olympic sports in February.
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