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Bernie Ecclestone

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Bernie Ecclestone
Born (1930-10-28) October 28, 1930 (age 96)
St Peter South Elmham, Suffolk, England
Occupation(s)Business tycoon, motorsport executive, former racing driver
Known forFormer chief executive of Formula One Group, owner of Brabham F1 team

Bernard Charles Ecclestone (born 28 October 1930) is a prominent British business tycoon, former racing driver, and motorsport executive. Often referred to as the "F1 Supremo", Ecclestone established the Formula One Group in 1987 and maintained control over the commercial rights of Formula One until 2017.

Originating from Suffolk and raised in Bexleyheath, Ecclestone began his career trading motorcycle components shortly after World War II. He started competing in Formula Three in 1949, securing multiple victories at Brands Hatch. In , he attempted to qualify for the Monaco and British Grands Prix as a private entrant but was unsuccessful. Shifting his focus to management, he represented drivers such as Stuart Lewis-Evans and Jochen Rindt, the latter becoming a posthumous World Drivers' Championship winner in . Ecclestone acquired the Brabham team in , managing it for 15 years during which it achieved 22 wins and two World Drivers' Championships with Nelson Piquet. He was a founding member of the Formula One Constructors' Association in 1974 and played an influential role during the FISA–FOCA war.

His prominence increased through innovating the sale of television rights in the late 1970s. Following the 1987 Concorde Agreement, Ecclestone's companies gained control over Formula One’s commercial rights, as well as overseeing race administration and logistics. He also founded International Sportsworld Communicators in 1996, which managed the commercial rights for the World Rally Championship until 2000. Ranked fifth on the Sunday Times Rich List in 2002, he declined honours such as a CBE and knighthood. Between 2007 and 2011, Ecclestone co-owned football club Queens Park Rangers alongside Flavio Briatore, contributing to their promotion to the Premier League. In 2017, he sold Formula One Group to Liberty Media and remained chairman emeritus until his departure in 2020.

Throughout his extensive involvement with Formula One spanning over forty years, Ecclestone was frequently involved in controversies. At age 89 in 2020, he became one of the oldest recorded fathers. In October 2023, he was convicted of tax fraud, agreeing to pay over million in back taxes and penalties, and received a suspended prison sentence of 17 months.

Early life

Ecclestone was born on 28 October 1930 in St Peter South Elmham, a small village located south of Bungay, Suffolk. His parents were Sidney Ecclestone, who worked as a fisherman, and Bertha Sophia (née Westley). He attended primary school in Wissett, Suffolk before relocating with his family to Danson Road, Bexleyheath, southeast London, in 1938. During the Second World War, he stayed with his family instead of being evacuated.

At age 16, Ecclestone left Dartford West Central Secondary School to take up a position as an assistant at the local gasworks chemical laboratory, where he tested gas purity. Concurrently, he pursued chemistry studies at Woolwich Polytechnic (Greenwich University) while nurturing his passion for motorcycles.

Early career

Following the conclusion of Second World War, Ecclestone ventured into business by trading motorcycle spare parts and co-founded the Compton & Ecclestone motorcycle dealership alongside Fred Compton. His initial racing experience came in 1949 within the 500cc category of the Formula 3 Series, acquiring a Cooper Mk V by 1951.

He primarily competed at Brands Hatch circuit, earning several strong finishes along with occasional victories. After experiencing multiple accidents there, he decided to retire from active racing to concentrate on his business ventures.

Team ownership

Following his accident, Ecclestone stepped away from racing temporarily to focus on profitable ventures in real estate and loan financing, as well as overseeing Weekend Car Auctions.

He made a comeback in 1957 by taking on the role of manager for driver Stuart Lewis-Evans and acquiring two chassis from the now-defunct Connaught Formula One outfit. Ecclestone made a brief attempt to qualify a car himself at the Monaco event, although this was not pursued seriously. He also entered the British Grand Prix, but the vehicle was actually driven by Jack Fairman. While managing Lewis-Evans at Vanwall, Ecclestone witnessed the tragic accident that claimed Lewis-Evans' life at the 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix, which led him to retire from racing once more.

Later, Ecclestone managed driver Jochen Rindt and acquired partial ownership of Rindt’s 1970 Lotus Formula 2 squad, partnering with fellow driver Graham Hill. Rindt secured the 1970 World Championship posthumously following a fatal crash at Monza.

Brabham

In 1971, Ecclestone acquired the Brabham team from Ron Tauranac for £100,000. Tauranac continued as designer and factory manager until early 1972, when disagreements with Ecclestone prompted his departure. Subsequently, Ecclestone concentrated solely on Formula One racing, discontinuing the successful customer car manufacturing enterprise founded by Jack Brabham and Tauranac.

For the 1973 season, Ecclestone elevated Gordon Murray to chief designer. Murray created the BT42 model, initiating a series of Ford-powered vehicles that achieved multiple victories in 1974 and 1975 with drivers Carlos Reutemann and Carlos Pace.

Despite these achievements, Ecclestone entered into an agreement with Alfa Romeo to utilize their robust but heavy flat-12 engine beginning in 1976. Although financially advantageous, the Alfa-powered BT45 cars suffered from reliability issues and excessive weight, leading to disappointing results throughout 1976 and 1977. The team regained momentum in 1978 by recruiting double world champion Niki Lauda and unveiling Murray’s innovative BT46 design.

The collaboration with Alfa Romeo concluded in 1979 when Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet joined Brabham. As Alfa started developing its own Formula One car, Ecclestone reverted to using Cosworth DFV engines—a decision Murray likened to "taking a holiday."

Piquet developed a strong rapport with both Ecclestone and Brabham, narrowly missing out on the 1980 championship before capturing titles in 1981 and 1983. In 1981, Brabham trialed a BMW turbo engine; by 1982 their BT50 was powered by BMW’s turbocharged four-cylinder unit. Despite early reliability challenges, this partnership delivered Brabham’s inaugural turbo victory at the 1982 Canadian Grand Prix and secured the first turbocharged world championship in 1983.

Brabham remained competitive until 1985 when Piquet departed due to contractual disagreements to join Williams. Gordon Murray left in 1986 after designing cars that had amassed 22 Grand Prix victories since 1973. Under Ecclestone’s management, Brabham scored just eight points during its final season in 1987, coinciding with BMW’s exit from Formula One.

Ecclestone acquired Brabham for approximately $120,000 in 1971 and sold it to Swiss entrepreneur Joachim Luhti for over $5 million in 1988.

Formula One leadership

In addition to owning a team, Ecclestone co-founded the Formula One Constructors Association (FOCA) in 1974 alongside Frank Williams, Colin Chapman, Teddy Mayer, Ken Tyrrell, and Max Mosley. Throughout the 1970s, he increasingly concentrated on securing television broadcasting rights for the sport, championing team control in these negotiations.

Ecclestone was named FOCA's chief executive in 1978, with Mosley serving as legal counsel. Under his leadership, FOCA obtained exclusive authority to negotiate Grand Prix TV contracts. He created Formula One Promotions and Administration (FOPA), which divided television revenue by allocating 47% to teams, 30% to the FIA, and 23% to FOPA itself. Additionally, FOPA was responsible for distributing prize money.

Although ownership of TV rights shifted during the late 1990s, Ecclestone reasserted his influence by securing the fourth Concorde Agreement in 1997, retaining control over broadcast rights in exchange for annual payments. His companies also oversaw Grand Prix event management and logistics.

In 1978, Ecclestone appointed Sid Watkins as Formula One's official medical officer, initiating safety reforms that contributed to a substantial decline in driver fatalities over the following decades.

After Ayrton Senna’s tragic accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, a miscommunication led Ecclestone to erroneously inform Senna’s family of his passing prematurely. This incident strained his relationship with the Senna family despite his presence at related memorial services.

Following heart surgery in 1999, Ecclestone continued actively managing his business ventures. During the late 1990s, he reduced his shareholding in SLEC Holdings, the parent company of Formula One management firms, to 25%, while maintaining overall control.

In October 2004, disagreements with British Racing Drivers' Club president Jackie Stewart almost resulted in the British Grand Prix being removed from the calendar; however, a subsequent five-year agreement ensured its continuation. The following month saw Speed Investments’ banks—Bayerische Landesbank, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Lehman Brothers—initiate legal action against Ecclestone seeking greater influence over Formula One, challenging his long-standing authority.

The December 2004 court ruling favored Speed Investments. Ecclestone downplayed its impact and announced intentions to appeal while proposing a £260 million offer over three years to teams for renewing the Concorde Agreement set to expire in 2008. Bayerische Landesbank later confirmed no plans to oust him from leadership.

Ecclestone faced widespread criticism following the withdrawal of 14 out of 20 cars from the 2005 United States Grand Prix due to Michelin tyre safety concerns. Although not responsible for causing the issue, he was held accountable for not resolving it effectively given his dominant position.

On 25 November 2005, CVC Capital Partners purchased shares held by Ecclestone and Bayerische Landesbank in Formula One Group, boosting Alpha Prema’s stake beyond 71%. Ecclestone reinvested proceeds into this entity. By March 2006, CVC received conditional European Union approval for the acquisition—contingent on divesting MotoGP rights—and completed further share purchases including those from Lehman Brothers and Allsport Management SA.

In July 2007, Ecclestone revealed interest in acquiring Arsenal Football Club amid competition from American investor Stan Kroenke.

The Concorde Agreement expired at the close of 2007; meanwhile, the FIA contract concluded in 2012.

Following Silverstone’s loss of British Grand Prix hosting duties in 2008, notable figures such as Damon Hill and Flavio Briatore publicly criticized Ecclestone and Formula One Management (FOM) regarding revenue sharing and cost structures.

On 23 January 2017, Ecclestone was removed from his role as chief executive of Formula One Group after Liberty Media’s acquisition in 2016. He was appointed chairman emeritus and adviser until January 2020.

Additional Endeavors

In 1996, Ecclestone's company, International Sportsworld Communicators, secured exclusive broadcasting rights for 18 FIA championships under a 14-year agreement. Three years later, in 1999, the European Commission launched an investigation into FIA, ISC, and FOA for allegedly abusing their dominant market position and limiting competition. As a result, in 2000, ISC and FIA reorganized the rights into two separate packages: one for the World Rally Championship and another for Regional Rally Championships. In April of that year, Ecclestone divested ISC to a consortium led by David Richards.

On 17 June 2005, Ecclestone made headlines following contentious comments regarding Danica Patrick's performance at the Indianapolis 500. However, after her triumph at Twin Ring Motegi in 2008, he sent her a letter congratulating her achievement.

On 7 January 2010, Ecclestone partnered with Genii Capital to place a bid for the Swedish automobile manufacturer Saab Automobile.

Queens Park Rangers

Ecclestone joined forces with Flavio Briatore on 3 September 2007 to acquire ownership of Queens Park Rangers (QPR) Football Club. Later that year in December, industrialist Lakshmi Mittal, ranked as the fifth wealthiest individual worldwide at the time, became a co-owner by acquiring a 20% share.

By 17 December 2010, Ecclestone had bought out Briatore’s shares, increasing his stake to a majority holding of 62%. Subsequently, on 18 August 2011, both Ecclestone and Briatore sold their entire interest to Tony Fernandes, who also owned the Caterham Formula One team.

Ecclestone Grand Prix Collection

Ecclestone amassed one of the globe’s most extensive collections of Formula One cars, consisting of 69 single-seater vehicles valued at approximately million dollars. The assemblage featured historically important cars such as the Ferrari 375 F1, Ferrari 312 F1, Ferrari 246 F1, Brabham BT46B, and Maserati 250F. Eventually, this entire collection was sold to Red Bull GmbH heir Mark Mateschitz.

Great Train Robbery

For many years, speculation linked Ecclestone to the infamous Great Train Robbery (1963). He explained these rumors stemmed from his acquaintance with Roy James—who was both the getaway driver during the robbery and an amateur racer—who later gifted Ecclestone the silver trophy awarded to Formula One promoters.

Labour Party Dispute

In 1997, Ecclestone became involved in controversy surrounding the British Labour Party’s proposed prohibition on tobacco sponsorships, which jeopardized Formula One’s key revenue stream. Since major teams depended heavily on tobacco advertising funding, Ecclestone directly appealed to then-Prime Minister Tony Blair, warning that eliminating tobacco sponsorship could force the sport—and its related employment and exports—to relocate abroad. Working alongside Labour donor Max Mosley, Ecclestone successfully obtained an exemption for Formula One from this ban.

This outcome triggered media criticism questioning Labour’s integrity and highlighted Ecclestone’s £1 million contribution to the party earlier that year. Under public pressure, Labour pledged to return the donation. Blair later apologized for mishandling the matter, explaining that the exemption was granted due to concerns about losing industry overseas. Subsequent disclosures revealed that the decision was finalized during their meeting, contradicting Blair’s parliamentary claim that it happened two weeks afterward.

Tax avoidance (2008)

During the investigation into Gerhard Gribkowsky, German prosecutors revealed that Ecclestone had been scrutinized by UK tax authorities for nearly a decade and had legally circumvented £1.2 billion in taxes. The dispute with HM Revenue and Customs was resolved in 2008 when Ecclestone agreed to a settlement payment of £10 million.

Hitler remarks

In an interview with The Times on 4 July 2009, Ecclestone sparked controversy by acknowledging that Adolf Hitler "was able to get things done," while still condemning his deeds. He expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of democracy, including within the United Kingdom, and endorsed his longtime acquaintance Max Mosley as a competent candidate for Prime Minister despite Mosley’s familial history.

Stephen Pollard, editor of The Jewish Chronicle, denounced Ecclestone’s statements as offensive. Ecclestone subsequently issued an apology, describing himself as "an idiot." When the World Jewish Congress demanded his resignation, Ecclestone dismissed their call, referencing their influence during the 2008 financial crisis.

Bribery accusation

In 2012, amid the trial of former BayernLB chief risk officer Gerhard Gribkowsky, prosecutors accused Bernie Ecclestone of being complicit in a bribery scheme. Gribkowsky confessed to charges including tax evasion, breach of trust, and accepting bribes. Prosecutors alleged that Ecclestone paid approximately $44 million to Gribkowsky to facilitate the removal of BayernLB’s stake in Formula One. Ecclestone defended the payment as a response to blackmail threats involving UK tax officials.

Later that year, in November 2012, Bluewaters Communications Holdings, a private equity firm, initiated a £409 million legal claim concerning the 2005 sale of Formula One, asserting rightful ownership.

By May 2013, Munich prosecutors formally charged Ecclestone with two bribery offenses connected to his interactions with Gribkowsky. In July 2013, he was indicted specifically for the $44 million payment tied to the sale of the Formula One stake. Gribkowsky was convicted on counts of bribery and tax evasion.

On 14 January 2014, a court in Munich confirmed that Ecclestone would face trial over bribery allegations. The case concluded on 5 August 2014 when Ecclestone settled by paying £60 million without admitting any wrongdoing, thereby ending the proceedings.

Comments on diversity and racism

Following the murder of George Floyd, Lewis Hamilton—the only black driver and seven-time world champion in Formula One—established a commission aimed at combating racism and fostering diversity. Formula One launched its We Race As One initiative to address inequality within the sport. During a CNN interview, Ecclestone initially praised Hamilton but then questioned how these efforts would affect Formula One and controversially claimed that "black people are more racist than white people." Hamilton responded publicly on Instagram, labeling Ecclestone as "ignorant and uneducated" and emphasizing why progress towards diversity has been slow. The Formula One Group condemned Ecclestone's remarks as unacceptable within both the sport and society at large and noted that his honorary chairman position ended in January 2020.

Illegal possession of a firearm

On 25 May 2022, Brazilian authorities detained Ecclestone for carrying an unregistered LW Seecamp .32 handgun while boarding a private aircraft bound for Switzerland. He acknowledged ownership but stated he was unaware the firearm was in his luggage. After posting bail, he was released and allowed to continue his travels.

Remarks on Russia's Ukraine invasion

During a 30 June 2022 appearance on ITV's Good Morning Britain, Ecclestone referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "first class person" and expressed his willingness to "take a bullet" for him. He described the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a "mistake" often made by business figures and implied that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might have averted the conflict. When asked about the loss of civilian lives, Ecclestone maintained that such casualties were not "intentional," citing examples from U.S. military operations.

Additionally, Ecclestone opposed excluding Russian drivers from Formula One, stating that had he been involved, he would neither have canceled the Russian Grand Prix nor banned any drivers. In response, Formula One released a statement distancing itself from his remarks, emphasizing that his opinions sharply contrast with the sport’s contemporary values.

Tax evasion charges

On 11 July 2022, the Crown Prosecution Service charged Ecclestone with tax fraud ("fraud by false representation") following an HM Revenue and Customs investigation that revealed he failed to disclose £400 million in overseas assets.

The initial court appearance was set for 22 August at Westminster Magistrates' Court. In January 2023, the trial was deferred to November 2023 at Southwark Crown Court.

On 12 October 2023, Ecclestone admitted guilt to fraud charges at Southwark Crown Court and agreed to pay nearly £653 million in outstanding taxes and penalties. He received a suspended prison sentence of 17 months, suspended for two years.

Tom Bower biography

Tom Bower’s biography No Angel: The Secret Life of Bernie Ecclestone, published by Faber and Faber in 2011, was created with Ecclestone’s cooperation. Bower’s reputation for investigative works on figures such as Robert Maxwell made this collaboration particularly noteworthy.

The book recounts an episode during the 1979 Argentine Grand Prix when Colin Chapman offered Mario Andretti $1,000 to push Ecclestone into a hotel pool. Andretti revealed the plan to Ecclestone, who responded: "Pay me half and you can."

Personal life

As of February 2024, Forbes World's Billionaires List estimated Ecclestone’s net worth at $2.9 billion. In 2002, he was ranked fifth richest in the UK according to the Sunday Times Rich List. Early in 2004, he sold a London property on Kensington Palace Gardens to steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal for £57.1 million. At race venues, Ecclestone operated from a grey mobile home dubbed "Bernie's bus," which served as his base. In 2005, he sold his £9 million yacht Va Bene to musician Eric Clapton. Terry Lovell’s biography Bernie's Game: Inside the Formula One World of Bernie Ecclestone was published in 2003 after overcoming legal obstacles. Ecclestone declined honors including a CBE in 1996 and a knighthood in the early 2000s, stating he did not feel deserving of such awards.

Ecclestone has been married three times. With his first wife Ivy, he has a daughter named Deborah and is a great-grandfather with five grandchildren. After ending a 17-year relationship with Tuana Tan in 1984, he wed Slavica Radić, a former Yugoslav-born model for Armani, with whom he had two daughters: Tamara and Petra. Slavica filed for divorce in 2008 and reportedly received between $1 billion and $1.5 billion in settlement; their divorce was finalized in March 2009. In August 2012, Ecclestone married Fabiana Flosi, vice-president of marketing for the Brazilian Grand Prix, who is 46 years younger than him. Their son was born in July 2020, making Ecclestone one of the oldest known fathers.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 WDC Points
1958 B C Ecclestone Connaught Type B Alta Straight-4 ARG MON
DNQ 		NED 500 BEL FRA GBR
DNP 		GER POR ITA MOR NC 0
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Orders and special distinctions

Honorary academic degrees

Additional recognitions

Bibliography

External links

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