Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has denied saying that "Hitler knew how to get things done." He claims that he was misheard and what he actually said was, "Hitler would have loved Formula One."

"It is obvious that the Fuhrer would have loved the Grand Prix. Imagine how delighted he would have been to know that the head of the governing body was called 'Mosley'. Adolf adored his father, Sir Oswald... And just think what he could have done with those high performance engines. He could have 'Blitzkrieg'd' his way to Vladivostok before Stalin could say 'Uncle Joe'. 'Vorsprung durch Technik,' as they might have said back in the Fatherland."

Asked whether he had a 'small man complex', he replied, "No, I'm bigger than Hitler... But can you now stop asking me so many questions. Vee ask zee qvestions!"

When pressed on whether he felt positive about this weekend's German Grand Prix, Mr Ecclestone said later, "I'll try not to mention the war, but I do rather feel that tomorrow belongs to me."