Gerhard Berger’s incredible prank that stopped Bernie Ecclestone
Gerhard Berger’s incredible prank that stopped Bernie Ecclestone
Gerhard Berger has spoken out about Bernie Ecclestone’s antics calling for intervention.
Gerhard Berger has revealed the joke he told Eddie Jordan on his flight home from the 2002 Japanese Grand Prix. The Austrian driver became famous as a mischievous teammate alongside Ayrton Senna. There was a particularly memorable prank where he dropped a Brazilian man’s suitcase full of important travel documents from a helicopter!
But Berger had another joke in the bag and it got so out of hand that former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone called for intervention.
Gerhard Berger pulls a suitcase prank on Eddie Jordan.
Berger, who oversaw BMW’s engine program and partnership with Williams, was on a charter flight home from Suzuka with McLaren boss Ron Dennis, where Jordan unveiled his new partnership with Ford for next season. When Jordan asked for a ride home, Berger couldn’t resist telling the Irishman a memorable joke.
“Ron and I were on a plane to Japan,” Berger said during an appearance on the Formula Success podcast, to which Jordan replied, “It’s been a hell of a couple of weeks!”
On the way back, before the start of the race, he came up to me and said, “Gerhard, can I take Eddie back?” “No problem, I didn’t compete then. I was director of motorsport at BMW and supported BMW engines.
“It was a big weekend for Eddie, he introduced his new partner Suzuka Ford as engine supplier, there was a big press conference and much more. “Anyway, after hearing this story, I went back to camp and said to the kids, ‘Can you write on a piece of paper that you’re giving Minardi a free BMW engine next year?'”
“It was a very good engine for its time. I put it in my briefcase and after the race we all rushed to the airport. “We got in the plane and everybody sat down. I put the case in the center and I said to Ron, ‘Ron, I’m going to the pilots in the cockpit and you said to Eddie, ‘Okay, open the case “. and see what’s there. Say “Let’s see!” You say!
“I went to the booth and came back after about 20 minutes. At this point, Eddie couldn’t even sit down!
“He said, ‘Gerhard, what are you going to do with the engine next year?’ Are there still differences with Williams?
“I said: “I don’t think so. We might have a second team next year!” And [Eddie said], “Have you thought about us?”
“I said, ‘Eddie, no, you chose Ford,’ and Eddie said, ‘No, don’t worry, don’t worry, never mind!’ We can be the best team for you! Williams- BMW and Jordan – young and cheerful!
“I said, ‘Eddie, you’ve got a deal,’ and he said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll take care of it!’ said.
“I told Eddie it was a good idea. I want to give it to Jordan. I just spoke to Minardi. He knows everything because he reads the newspaper in my briefcase!
Trapped, Berger left Jordan with the juice and spent the rest of the flight watching how excited Jordan’s team boss was about the prospect of another motoring deal.
“The flight was over 12 hours and Eddie didn’t sleep a second. He was always thinking about how to move this forward,” Berger said.
“I started acting like I was asleep and every time I opened my eyes I saw Eddie! I told him to look deeper. “We have to convince BMW management now that we have Minardi, but we can talk to them. You see, I need all the phone numbers for your company.”
“‘Okay, I just did a thorough inspection!’ Jordan replied and Berger continued to laugh. “So I told him to send me everything he needs to prepare the paperwork for the BMW board! I had been flying for 12 hours and I didn’t know anything and Ron was staring at me!
“Before we landed, I told Eddie to send me all the documents and I said, ‘One thing: Do you know who has influence over all the boards? It’s Bernie [Ecclestone]. Bernie must be there. Maybe he’ll call and say it’s okay to give it to Eddie. “‘I’ll call Bernie right away!’
“When we got off the plane, Ron took me aside and said, ‘You’ve got to tell him we can’t let him go like this.’
“I went there because they said I had to send it, but I think I got 25 missed calls from house to house! The next day I received a 40 page book containing all of Jordan’s characters.
“One day, the next day, I got a call from Bernie and he said, ‘What did you do to Eddie? He sits in front of my desk and talks about something he doesn’t have time for.” you do?!”
“So we had to stop at this point. Eddie came up to me and said, “Gerhard, you bastard, write me an email saying you’re not going to use my documents for anything. You’re so smart!”
“I said, ‘Okay, Eddie, write me a letter and never look at my briefcase again!’ I said.
