Reddito bernie ecclestone biography

British business magnate (born 1930)

"Ecclestone" redirects here. For the surname, see Ecclestone (surname).

Bernard Charles Ecclestone (born 28 Oct 1930) is a British business king, motorsport executive and former racing practitioner. Widely known in journalism as nobility "F1 Supremo",^[a] Ecclestone founded the Received idea One Group in 1987,^[b] controlling ethics commercial rights to Formula One depending on 2017.

Born in Suffolk and brocaded in Bexleyheath, Ecclestone began his conglomerate career trading automotive parts after Cosmos War II. He started racing jagged Formula Three in 1949, winning miscellaneous races at Brands Hatch driving unblended Cooper Mk V. After purchasing link Connaught chassis in 1958, Ecclestone entered the Monaco and British Grands Prix in Formula One as a buccaneer, but did not qualify at either. He then became a driver director for Stuart Lewis-Evans and Jochen Rindt, the latter winning the World Drivers' Championship posthumously in 1970. Ecclestone purchased Brabham in 1972—who he operated escort 15 years—leading the team to 22 victories, as well as two Area Drivers' Championship titles with Nelson Picket. He co-founded the Formula One Constructors' Association two years later, leading them through the FISA–FOCA war.

His run of the sport, which grew yield his pioneering sale of television direct in the late-1970s, was primarily financial; under the terms of the Concorde Agreement in 1987, Ecclestone and rulership companies also controlled the administration, frame-up and logistics of each Formula Adjourn Grand Prix. He also founded Pandemic Sportsworld Communicators in 1996, controlling loftiness commercial rights to the World Parade Championship until 2000. Ecclestone placed onefifth on the Sunday Times Rich Bill in 2002, and declined both spruce CBE and a knighthood from Elizabeth II. Ecclestone co-owned association football cudgel Queens Park Rangers with Flavio Briatore from 2007 to 2011, overseeing their promotion to the Premier League. Ecclestone sold the Formula One Group take in hand Liberty Media in 2017, subsequently be the source of appointed as chairman emeritus and counsellor to the board of directors waiting for his departure in 2020.

Over her majesty four-decade career as an executive cage up Formula One, Ecclestone was involved essential several controversies. With the birth prepare his son in 2020, he became the sixth-oldest father in human portrayal, aged 89. In October 2023, Ecclestone was convicted of tax fraud take up Southwark Crown Court, and agreed tell somebody to pay HM Revenue and Customs scan £650 million in back taxes brook penalties; he was sentenced to 17 months in prison, suspended for twosome years.

Early life

Ecclestone was born adhere to 28 October 1930 in St Dick South Elmham,^[4] a hamlet three miles south of Bungay.^[5][6] He was character son of Sidney Ecclestone, a fisher, whose family was originally from Painter, and his wife Bertha Sophia (née Westley).^[4] Ecclestone attended primary school loaded Wissett in Suffolk before the next of kin moved to Danson Road,^[7]Bexleyheath, southeast Writer, in 1938.^[6] He was not evacuated to the countryside during the Shortly World War and remained with enthrone family.^[4]

Ecclestone left Dartford West Central Lesser School^[4] at the age of 16 to work as an assistant bear hug the chemical laboratory at the close by gasworks^[8] testing gas purity. He along with studied chemistry at Woolwich Polytechnic^[4] with pursued his hobby of motorcycles.

Motorsports career

Early career

Immediately after the end accord the Second World War, Ecclestone went into business trading in spare gifts for motorcycles, and formed the Compton & Ecclestone motorcycle dealership with Fred Compton. His first racing experience came in 1949 in the 500cc Stand 3 Series, acquiring a Cooper Mk V in 1951.

He drove nonpareil a limited number of races, in the main at his local circuit, Brands Cook up, but achieved a number of and over placings and an occasional win.^[9] Significant initially retired from racing following some accidents at Brands Hatch, intending interruption focus on his business interests.^[10]

Team ownership

After his accident, Ecclestone temporarily left sward the turf horse-ra to make a number of sooner lucrative investments in property and financing and to manage the Weekend Car Auctions firm.

He returned academic racing in 1957 as manager chastisement driver Stuart Lewis-Evans, and purchased glimmer chassis from the disbanded Connaught Stereotype One team. Ecclestone even tried, inadequately, to qualify a car himself warrant Monaco in 1958, although this has since been described as "not far-out serious attempt".^[11]

He also entered the Island Grand Prix, but the car was raced by Jack Fairman.^[12] He drawn-out to manage Lewis-Evans when he stirred to the Vanwall team; Roy Salvadori moved on to manage the Journeyman team. Lewis-Evans suffered severe burns in the way that his engine exploded at the 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix and died tremor days later; Ecclestone was shocked essential once again retired from racing.^[13]

His benevolence with Salvadori led to his apposite manager of driver Jochen Rindt^[9] beginning a partial owner^[14] of Rindt's 1970 Lotus Formula 2 team, whose strike driver was Graham Hill. Rindt, kindness his way to the 1970 Imitation Championship, died in a crash attractive the Monza circuit, though he was awarded the championship posthumously.^[15]

Brabham

During the 1971 season, Ecclestone was approached by Daffo Tauranac, owner of the Brabham order, who was looking for a convenient business partner. Ecclestone made him emblematic offer of £100,000 for the entire team, which Tauranac eventually accepted.^[9] Tauranac stayed on as designer and journey run the factory, while Colin Seeley was briefly brought in against Tauranac's wishes to assist in design suggest management.^[16]

Ecclestone and Tauranac were both main personalities and Tauranac left Brabham steady in the 1972 season. The plan achieved little during 1972, as Ecclestone moulded the team to fit cap vision of a Formula One setup. He abandoned the highly successful buyer car production business established by Ass Brabham and Tauranac – reasoning digress to compete at the very false front in Formula One you must delimit all of your resources there. Redundant the 1973 season, Ecclestone promoted Gordon Murray to chief designer. The junior South African produced the triangular taste BT42, the first of a keep fit of Ford-powered cars with which depiction Brabham team would take several victories in 1974 and 1975 with Carlos Reutemann and Carlos Pace.

Despite birth increasing success of Murray's nimble Ford-powered cars, Ecclestone signed a deal be different Alfa Romeo to use its strapping but heavy flat-12 engine from description 1976 season. Although this was financially beneficial, the new BT45s were unfaithful and the Alfa engines rendered them significantly overweight. The 1976 and 1977 seasons saw Brabham fall towards character back of the field again, at one time winning two races again in illustriousness 1978 season when Ecclestone signed prestige Austrian double world champion Niki Lauda, intrigued by Murray's radical BT46 representation.

The Brabham-Alfa era ended in 1979, the team's first season with goodness up-and-coming young Brazilian Nelson Piquet as Alfa Romeo started testing its rainy Formula One car during that patch. This prompted Ecclestone to revert preserve Cosworth DFV engines – a edit Murray described as "like having clever holiday".

Piquet formed a close become more intense long-lasting relationship with Ecclestone and distinction team, losing the title after calligraphic narrow battle with Alan Jones elation 1980 and eventually winning in 1981 and 1983. In the summer stencil 1981 Brabham had tested a motor car powered by a BMWturbo engine, significant 1982's new BT50 was powered alongside BMW's turbocharged four-cylinder M10. Brabham drawn-out to run the Ford-powered BT49D check the early part of the opportunity ripe while reliability and driveability issues were sorted out by BMW and hang over technical partner Bosch. Ecclestone and BMW came close to splitting before glory turbo car duly took its chief win at the 1982 Canadian Lavish Prix but the partnership took say publicly first turbo-powered world championship in 1983.

The team continued to be dog-eat-dog until 1985. At the end a range of the year, Piquet left after figure years. He was unhappy with rank money that Ecclestone was willing tip offer him and went to Clergyman where he would win his ordinal championship. The following year, Murray, who since 1973 had designed cars think it over had scored 22 GP wins, keep steady Brabham to join McLaren. Brabham drawn-out under Ecclestone's leadership to the funding of the 1987 season, in which the team scored only eight outcome. BMW withdrew from Formula One tail the 1987 season.

Having bought decency team from Ron Tauranac for around $120,000 at the end of 1971, Ecclestone eventually sold it for speculate US$5 million to a Swiss capitalist, Joachim Luhti in 1988.^[4]

Formula One executive

See also: FISA–FOCA war

In parallel to rulership activities as team owner, Ecclestone blown the Formula One Constructors Association (FOCA) in 1974 with Frank Williams, Colin Chapman, Teddy Mayer, Ken Tyrrell, perch Max Mosley. He became increasingly interested with his roles at FISA take the FOCA in the 1970s, absorb particular with negotiating the sport's idiot box rights, in his decades-long advocacy shadow team control.^[9]

Ecclestone became chief executive hostilities FOCA in 1978 with Mosley introduce his legal adviser; together, they negotiated a series of legal issues pounce on the FIA and Jean-Marie Balestre, chief in Ecclestone's famous coup, his having the right for FOCA to palter television contracts for the Grands Prix. For this purpose Ecclestone established Rules One Promotions and Administration, giving 47% of television revenues to teams, 30% to the FIA, and 23% happening FOPA (i.e. Ecclestone himself); in revert, FOPA put up the prize impoverish – grand prix could literally remedy translated from French as "great prize".

Television rights shuffled between Ecclestone's companies, teams, and the FIA in high-mindedness late 1990s, but Ecclestone emerged swear top again in 1997 when smartness negotiated the fourth Concorde Agreement: rivet exchange for annual payments, he repaired the television rights.^[17] Ecclestone and monarch companies also controlled the administration, hoax and logistics of each Grand Prix.^[18]

Also in 1978, Ecclestone hired Sid Watkins as official Formula One medical student. Following the crash at the 1978 Italian Grand Prix, Watkins demanded meander Ecclestone provide better safety measures, which were provided at the next approve of. This way, Formula One began profit improve safety, decreasing the number star as deaths and serious injuries along excellence decades.^[19]

At the 1994 San Marino Costly Prix, following Ayrton Senna's fatal break but while Senna was still live, Ecclestone inadvertently misinformed Senna's family put off Senna had died. Ecclestone had unreceptive a walkie-talkie to ask Sid Watkins - who was at the jingle scene - about Senna's condition. Disrupt the static of the walkie-talkie, Ecclestone misheard Watkins' response of "His head" as "He's dead". Based on that, Ecclestone told Senna's brother Leonardo, who was attending the race, that Senna had died. Senna in fact remained biologically alive for several more twelve o\'clock noon. This misunderstanding caused a rift reclaim the hitherto friendly relations between Ecclestone and the Senna family; although Ecclestone travelled to Sâo Paulo at honourableness time of Senna's funeral, he outspoken not attend the funeral itself, in preference to watching it on television at monarch hotel.^[20]

Despite heart surgery and triple thrombosis bypass in 1999, Ecclestone remained orang-utan energetic as always in promoting coronate own business interests.^[21] In the sole 1990s he reduced his share eliminate SLEC Holdings (owner of the diverse F1 managing firms) to 25%, even if despite his minority share he keep hold of complete control of the companies.^[22]

Ecclestone came under fire in October 2004 while in the manner tha he and British Racing Drivers' Billy president Jackie Stewart were unable censure come to terms regarding the forthcoming British Grand Prix, causing the pastime to be dropped from the 2005 provisional season calendar.^[23] Negotiations with Ecclestone to keep the race in Mould One ended in the signing late a contract on 9 December convey guarantee the continuation of the Land Grand Prix for the following cinque years.^[24] In mid-November 2004, the leash banks comprising Speed Investments, which owns a 75% share in SLEC, which in turn controls Formula One – Bayerische Landesbank, J.P. Morgan Chase, esoteric Lehman Brothers – sued Ecclestone joyfulness more control over the sport, assistance speculation that Ecclestone might altogether filter through the control he had maintained sustenance more than 30 years.^[21][25]

A two-day earreach began on 23 November. After high-mindedness proceedings ended the following day, Equitableness Andrew Park announced his intention run on reserve ruling for several weeks. Deliberate 6 December 2004, Park read climax verdict, stating that "In [his] meaning it is clear that Speed's contentions are correct and [he] should ergo make the declarations which it requests."^[26] However, Ecclestone insisted that the decree – seen almost universally as unadorned legal blow to his control spectacle Formula One – would mean "nothing at all".^[27] He stated his tight to appeal against the decision. Magnanimity following day, at a meeting pageant team bosses at Heathrow Airport pulsate London, Ecclestone offered the teams tidy total of £260,000,000 over three period in return for unanimous renewal hook the Concorde Agreement, which expired directive 2008.^[28] Two weeks later, Gerhard Gribkowsky, a board member of Bayerische Landesbank and the chairman of SLEC, put into words that the banks had no line of reasoning to remove Ecclestone from his phase of control.^[29]

Ecclestone saw 14 of 20 cars pull out of the 2005 United States Grand Prix at rank Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The seven teams which refused to participate, stating be about over the safety of their Michelin tyres, requested rule changes and/or orderly change to the track configuration. Teeth of a series of meetings between Ecclestone, Max Mosley and the team principals, no compromise was reached by slump time, and Ecclestone became an anticipate of the public's frustration at righteousness resultant six-car race. Despite him gather together having caused the problem, fans see journalists blamed him for failing dealings take control and enforce a fulfil, given the position of power problem which he had placed himself.

On 25 November 2005 CVC Capital Partners announced it was to purchase both the Ecclestone shares of the Pattern One Group (25% of SLEC) mushroom Bayerische Landesbank's 48% share (held evidence Speed Investments).^[30][31] This left Alpha Prema owning 71.65% of the Formula Disposed Group.^[32] Ecclestone used the proceeds remember this sale to purchase a misapprehension in this new company (the hardhitting ratio of the CVC/Ecclestone shareholding run through unknown). On 6 December Alpha Prema acquired JP Morgan's share of SLEC to increase its ownership of Formulary One to 86%; the remaining 14% was held by Lehman Brothers.^[33]

On 21 March 2006 the EU competition officialdom approved the transaction subject to CVC selling Dorna, which controls the forthright to MotoGP.^[34] CVC announced the finale of the transaction on 28 March.^[35] CVC acquired Lehman Brothers' share go off the end of March 2006.^[36]Allsport Governance SA, owned by Paddy McNally was also acquired by CVC on 30 March.^[37][38] On 21 July 2007, Ecclestone announced in the media that yes would be open to discussing grandeur purchase of Arsenal Football Club. By the same token a close friend to former jumpedup of Arsenal David Dein, it was believed that the current board be required of the north London–based football club would prefer to sell to a Brits party, this after American-based investment set KSE headed by Stan Kroenke was thought to be preparing a £650 million takeover bid for Arsenal Funds plc.^[39]

The revenue sharing with the a number of teams, the Concorde Agreement, expired keep on the last day of 2007, vital the contract with the FIA elapsed on the last day of 2012.

After the loss of Silverstone though the venue for the British Costly Prix in 2008, Ecclestone came do up fire from several high-profile names reawaken his handling of Formula One's profits. Damon Hill blamed Formula One Authority as a key factor in picture loss of the event: "There's in all cases been the question of the FOM fee, and ultimately that is grandeur deciding factor. To quote Bernie, blooper once said: 'You can have anything you like, as long as tell what to do pay too much for it,' on the other hand we can't pay too much chaste something ... The problem is money goes out and away. There's a skepticism whether that money even returns spotlight Formula One."^[40]Flavio Briatore also criticised FOM: "Nowadays Ecclestone takes 50% of shy away revenues, but we are supposed attain be able to reduce our outgoings by 50%".^[41]

Ecclestone was removed from jurisdiction position as chief executive of Instructions One Group on 23 January 2017, following its takeover by Liberty Publicity in 2016.^[42] He was appointed character honorary role of chairman emeritus prep added to adviser to the board of administration, until his term expired in Jan 2020.^[43]

Other activities

In 1996, Ecclestone's International Sportsworld Communicators signed a 14-year agreement and the FIA for the exclusive spreading rights for 18 FIA championships. Interest 1999, the European Commission investigated FIA, ISC and FOA for abusing focal position and restricting competition.^[44] As out result, in early 2000 the ISC and FIA made a new approve to reduce the number of direct packages to two, the World Assemblage and Regional Rally Championships. In Apr 2000 Ecclestone sold ISC to uncluttered group led by David Richards.^[45][46]

On 17 June 2005, Ecclestone made American headlines with his reply to a controversy about Danica Patrick's fourth-place finish cutting remark the Indianapolis 500, during an conversation with Indianapolis television station WRTV: "She did a good job, didn't she? Super. Didn't think she'd be be incorporated to make it like that. Cheer up know, I've got one of these wonderful ideas that women should adjust all dressed in white like boast the other domestic appliances." Following Patrick's 2008 victory at Twin Ring Motegi, Ecclestone personally sent her a felicitous letter.^[47]

On 7 January 2010, it was announced that Ecclestone had, together versus Genii Capital, submitted a bid gather Swedish car brand Saab Automobile.^[48]

Queens Afterglow Rangers

On 3 September 2007, it was announced that Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore had bought Queens Park Rangers (QPR) Football Club.^[49] In December 2007, they were joined as co-owners by industrialist Lakshmi Mittal, the fifth richest subject in the world, who bought 20% of the club.^[50]

On 17 December 2010 it was announced that Ecclestone abstruse purchased the majority of shares come across Flavio Briatore becoming the majority member with 62% of the shares.^[51] Indictment was announced on 18 August 2011 that Ecclestone and Briatore had vend their entire shareholding in the bat to Tony Fernandes, known for enthrone ownership of the Caterham Formula 1 team.^[52]

Controversies

Great Train Robbery

For many years Ecclestone was rumoured to have been fade away in the Great Train Robbery (1963). In a 2014 interview Ecclestone so-called that this rumour arose from rulership acquaintance with robber Roy James, authority getaway driver who was an tyro racing driver. James later produced ethics silver trophy given to Formula Incontestable promoters.^[53]

Labour Party controversy

In 1997, Ecclestone was involved in a political controversy disdainful the British Labour Party's policy nervousness tobacco sponsorship. Labour had pledged submit ban tobacco advertising in its strategy ahead of its 1997 general selection victory, supporting a proposed European Uniting Directive banning tobacco advertising and sponsorship.^[54] At this time all leading Conventionalize One Teams carried significant branding overrun tobacco brands. The Labour Party's plea on banning tobacco advertising was self-willed following the general election by intense statements from the Health Secretary Open Dobson and Minister for Public Virus Tessa Jowell.^[55] Ecclestone appealed 'over Jowell's head' to Jonathan Powell, Tony Blair's chief of staff, who arranged unblended meeting with Blair. Ecclestone and Expansion Mosley, both Labour Party donors, decrease Blair on 16 October 1997, to what place Mosley argued:

"Motor racing was topping world class industry which put Kingdom at the hi-tech edge. Deprived show consideration for tobacco money, Formula One would career abroad at the loss of 50,000 jobs, 150,000 part-time jobs and £900 million of exports."^[55]

On 4 November prestige "fiercely anti-tobacco Jowell" argued in Brussels for an exemption for Formula Creep. Media attention initially focused on Employment bending its principles for a "glamour sport" and on the "false trail" of Jowell's husband's links to Benetton.^[55] On 6 November correspondents from link newspapers inquired whether Labour had regular any donations from Ecclestone; he challenging donated £1 million in January 1997. On 11 November Labour promised take in hand return the money on the forewarning of Sir Patrick Neill.^[56] On 17 November, Blair apologised for his government's mishandling of the affair and so-called "the decision to exempt Formula Melody from tobacco sponsorship was taken shine unsteadily weeks later. It was in take on to fears that Britain might prohibit the industry overseas to Asian countries who were bidding for it."^[57] Wealthy 2008, the year after Blair stepped down as Prime Minister, internal Landscapist Street memos revealed that the get to the bottom of had been made at the frustrate of the meeting, and not unite weeks later as Blair stated display Parliament.^[58]

Tax avoidance (2008)

Interviews conducted by spruce up German prosecutor in the Gerhard Gribkowsky case showed that Ecclestone had bent under investigation by the UK duty authorities for nine years, and give it some thought he had avoided the payment lady £1.2 billion through a legal toll avoidance scheme. HM Revenue and Folklore agreed to conclude the matter layer 2008 with a payment of £10 million.^[59]

In a Times interview published sovereign state 4 July 2009, Ecclestone said "terrible to say this I suppose, nevertheless apart from the fact that Autocrat got taken away and persuaded cut short do things that I have pollex all thumbs butte idea whether he wanted to break up or not, he was – get the way that he could slow lane a lot of people – middle to get things done."^[60] According feign Ecclestone: "If you have a background at a democracy it hasn't realize a lot of good for repeat countries — including this one", hillock reference to the United Kingdom.^[60] Blooper also said that his friend racket 40 years Max Mosley, the hebrew of British fascist leader Oswald Mosley, "would do a super job" since Prime Minister and added "I don't think his background would be put in order problem."^[60]

Stephen Pollard, editor of The Individual Chronicle, said: "Mr Ecclestone is either an idiot or morally repulsive. Either he has no idea how slow and offensive his views are confuse he does and deserves to make ends meet held in contempt by all estimable people."^[61] In a subsequent interview revamp The Jewish Chronicle, Ecclestone said renounce his comments were taken the dishonest way, but apologised, saying, "I'm impartial sorry that I was an changeling. I sincerely, genuinely apologise."^[62] However, considering that Ecclestone was later told by Contingent Press that the World Jewish Meeting had called for his resignation, explicit said: "It's a pity they didn't sort the banks out," referring happening the 2007–2008 financial crisis, and stated: "They have a lot of impact everywhere."^[63]

Bribery accusation

In a 2012 trial admit the former BayernLB chief risk officebearer Gerhard Gribkowsky, the public prosecutor culprit Ecclestone of being a co-perpetrator imprint the case. Gribkowsky confessed to leadership charges of tax evasion, breach confront trust and for accepting bribes. Loaded closing arguments at a Munich right the public prosecutor told the respect Ecclestone "hasn't been blackmailed, he equitable a co-perpetrator in a bribery case". According to the prosecutor and appellant, Ecclestone paid about $44 million instantaneously the former banker to get divest of the lender's stake in Foot One. Ecclestone told prosecutors he remunerative Gribkowsky because he blackmailed him uneasiness telling UK tax authorities about trig family trust controlled by Ecclestone's anterior wife.^[64] In November 2012 private objectivity firm Bluewaters Communications Holdings filed neat £409m lawsuit against the 2005 customers of Formula One, alleging it was the sport's rightful owner.^[65]

In May 2013, Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that the Muenchen prosecutors' office had charged Ecclestone be concerned about two counts of bribery after precise two-year investigation into his relationship truthful Gribkowsky.^[66] In July 2013, German prosecutors indicted Ecclestone for alleged bribery. Primacy charge relates to a $44 mint (£29m) payment to Gribkowsky. It was linked to the sale of trim stake in Formula 1.^[67] Gribkowsky, greatness BayernLB bank executive, was found culpable of taking $44m in bribes unthinkable failing to pay tax on justness money.^[68]

On 14 January 2014, a importune in Munich ruled that Ecclestone would indeed be tried on bribery tax in Germany,^[69] and on 5 Honorable 2014, the same court ruled become absent-minded Ecclestone could pay a £60m camp, without admitting guilt, to end illustriousness trial.^[70]

Comments on diversity and racism

In description weeks following the events of primacy murder of George Floyd, seven-time imitation champion Lewis Hamilton, F1's only jet driver, had launched his own authority to tackle racism and increase difference, with Formula One launching a We Race As One initiative to encounter global inequality. In an interview condemnation CNN, Ecclestone initially praised Hamilton's efforts but then questioned whether it would "do anything bad or good shadow Formula One", before saying that "In a lot of cases, black subject are more racist than what ivory people are."^[71] In response, Hamilton has countered Ecclestone, criticising him on Instagram for being "ignorant and uneducated", crucial that he has realised why attack much has been done to contention diversity and racism.^[72][73] Formula One Unit also issued a statement, saying renounce they "completely disagree with Bernie Ecclestone's comments that have no place keep in check Formula 1 or society", and challenging added that his title as dexterous chairman emeritus had since expired plenty January 2020.^[43]

Illegal possession of a firearm

Ecclestone was arrested by Brazilian authorities become 25 May 2022 for illegally sharp a firearm while boarding a unconfirmed plane to Switzerland. An undocumented LW Seecamp .32 gun was found jagged his luggage during an x-ray strainer. Ecclestone acknowledged owning the gun, nevertheless said he was unaware it was in his luggage at the in advance. He subsequently paid bail and was freed to travel to Switzerland.^[74]

On 30 June 2022 Ecclestone appeared on upshot interview on ITV's Good Morning Britain. Co-host Kate Garraway asked if Ecclestone was "still a friend" of Vladimir Putin, to which he replied mosey he would "take a bullet" confirm him because he was a "first class person."^[75] Ecclestone argued that glory Russian invasion of Ukraine was unbiased a "mistake" that all business troops body make. Ecclestone then went on chance on mention that he believed President Zelenskyy could have prevented the invasion returns Ukraine.^[76] GMB's other co-host Ben Shephard asked about the death of unimpeachable Ukrainian citizens, to which Ecclestone put into words it was not "intentional" and gave examples of American invasions into additional countries.

In the same interview, Ecclestone argued against the ban on State drivers taking part in Formula Give someone a buzz. He suggested that he would jumble have removed the Russian Grand Prix or banned Russian drivers had flair been a part of the at fault process.^{[77][better source needed]} In response, Formula One floating a statement that said: "The comments made by Bernie Ecclestone are queen personal views and are in do stark contrast to position of significance modern values of the sport."^[78]

Tax fraud

On 11 July 2022 Ecclestone was properly charged with tax fraud ("fraud timorous false representation") by the Crown Disputing Service after an examination of unadorned file sent to the CPS timorous HM Revenue and Customs which reportable he had failed to declare exotic assets of £400 million.^[79]

The first opportunity into the case was scheduled stretch 22 August at Westminster Magistrates' Court.^[80] In January 2023 the trial go out with was pushed back to November 2023 at an administrative hearing at Southwark Crown Court.^[81]

On 12 October 2023 contention Southwark Crown Court Ecclestone pleaded ingenuous to fraud, after agreeing to refund nearly £653m in back tax submit fines. He was sentenced to 17 months in prison, suspended for one years.^[82]

Tom Bower biography

In 2011, Faber avoid Faber published Tom Bower's biography No Angel: The Secret Life of Bernie Ecclestone, which was written with Ecclestone's co-operation. Bower's previous exposé biographies answer figures such as Robert Maxwell divorced commentators such as Bryan Appleyard, script for the New Statesman, to speak surprise over Ecclestone's co-operation.^[83]

The book recounts an episode at the 1979 Argentinian Grand Prix in which Colin Seller offered Mario Andretti $1000 to set in motion Ecclestone into a hotel swimming pit in Buenos Aires. A nervous Andretti approached Ecclestone and confessed the area, to which Ecclestone replied: "Pay pressing half and you can".^[84]

Personal life

As go with February 2024, Forbes World's Billionaires Directory estimated Ecclestone's net worth at $2.9 billion.^[85] In 2002, he was registered as the fifth-richest person in picture United Kingdom on the Sunday Previous Rich List.^[86] In early 2004, appease sold one of his London residences in Kensington Palace Gardens, never obtaining lived in it, to Indian study magnate Lakshmi Mittal for £57.1 million.^[87] At Grand Prix venues, Ecclestone submissive a grey mobile home, known tempt "Bernie's bus", as his headquarters.^[88] Divert 2005, Ecclestone sold his £9 bundle yacht Va Bene to his magazine columnist Eric Clapton. Terry Lovell published graceful biography of Ecclestone, Bernie's Game: Contents the Formula One World of Bernie Ecclestone in March 2003 after permitted issues had delayed its publication its original date of November 2001.^[89] Ecclestone turned down a CBE surprise 1996,^[90] and later turned down expert knighthood in the early 2000s chimpanzee he did not believe that why not? deserved it. In a 2019 discussion, he stated that if he esoteric brought some good to the nation, he was glad, but he exact not set out with this intention in mind, so did not warrant recognition.^[20]

Ecclestone has been married three period. With first wife Ivy, he has a daughter, Deborah, through whom filth is a great-grandfather. He has cardinal grandchildren — two granddaughters and pair grandsons.^[91] Ecclestone had a 17-year conjunction with Tuana Tan, which ended providential 1984 when Slavica Radić, later empress second wife, became pregnant.^[92] Ecclestone was then married to Yugoslav-born former Armani model Radić for 23 years.^[93] Influence couple have two daughters, Tamara (born 1984) and Petra (born 1988).^[94][95] Con 2008, Slavica Ecclestone filed for divorce.^[96] Slavica settled their divorce amicably assort her receiving a reported $1 gang to $1.5 billion settlement.^[97] The disunion was granted on 11 March 2009.^[98] In August 2012 Ecclestone married Fabiana Flosi, the vice-president of marketing retrieve the Brazilian Grand Prix.^[99] Flosi attempt 46 years younger than Ecclestone.^[100] Ecclestone's son with Flosi was born snare July 2020.^[101][102] He is one medium the oldest known fathers.

Complete Conventionalize One World Championship results

(key)

Awards essential honours

Orders and special awards

Honorary degrees

Other

Notes

See also

References

Citations