“I’m a dealer. That’s exactly right. I’m a used car dealer.”

People want to build new circuits around the world and they say: ‘We’ll come to Silverstone and have a look how it’s done’, and I tell them to stay away.

Before they go to the race, people want to think four or five guys could win, but now… Normally you’d say, “One of those two, and I think it’s going to be Lewis [Hamiltom],” because that’s what had been proved up to now – thank God that Nico [Rosberg] has won some races.

I was always determined that races should begin on time and I never deviated from that policy.

You’re born with certain gifts and you use them as best you can in life. You begin to learn and recognize that you have certain skills and aptitudes that you apply and use them to carry you forward.

Two races we’ve lost which I’m genuinely upset about were India and Turkey.

Nico [Rosberg] is not seeking the limelight as Lewis [Hamilton] does. Lewis wants to be famous.

I think I would find it easier to talk with Nico [Rosenberg] than Lewis [Hamilton], as Lewis is into things that are very distant to me.

I have earned the money and changed the nappies!

Generally I still believe that Lewis [Hamilton] is the best champion that we have had in a long, long time. He manages to get to all different walks of life: red carpet, fashion business, and music – you name it.

You can’t compare eras. But drivers of each era adapt to the needs and climate of their time. There are good and bad points to every era of the sport. I’m not really nostalgic about the past.

If somebody says, “You like putting out fires,” and I say, “It’s not a case of liking it, but I do put them out, and if there aren’t fires left I make them, so I can put them out.” It’s what we do.

It’d be good for the world if [Donald Trump] won.

I suppose it’s knowing when you’ve come up with an idea that works, when you’ve got it right, whatever it is.

You can’t make decisions if there are no charges or issues to deal with. So it’s quite normal to wait until there is some reason to react.

If you say ‘Good Morning’ in America and it’s five past twelve you end up with a lawsuit.

I am happy that we have somebody like Lewis [Hamilton]. I also couldn’t be like Lewis. I don’t like gold jewelry!

My ministry’s always been one of social activism. I think a responsible minister must be at some levels involved in the social order.

With Jane Birkin, we had a scene from a film called Jane B. by Agnès V. – a portrait I made in ’87. We had a casino scene, surrealistic, in which we had some naked people gambling. Jane Birkin was the card dealer and I was the player.

Skinner goes everywhere, from border crossings to brothels to bargaining sessions with dealers in human beings