Bernie Ecclestone requested evidence of human rights abuses in Bahrain during a challenging interview with John Pienaar.
The former boss of Formula One said he looked into claims by campaign groups of abuses but concluded they were not being honest.
The sport has come under pressure after complaints by activists of human rights abuses when the Formula 1 Grand Prix was staged in the country.
Mr Ecclestone also refuted claims that his comment that black people are "more racist" than white people caused a fall out with black racing driver Lewis Hamilton.
