According to a report in the British media, Bernie Ecclestone’s time in charge of Formula One is coming to an end, as his bribery trial starts in a German court.
Ecclestone is accused of handing over a bribe to the amount of £27.5m to German banker Gerhard Gribkowsky in order to facilitate the sale of a stake in F1 to a private equity group of his choice.
Even though Ecclestone has admitted making the payment, which resulted in Gribkowsky landing behind bars, the F1 supremo has denied any wrongdoing throughout.
As a result, the diminutive Briton has ruled out paying a settlement in order to avoid jail-time, but it is reported that the court could order the 83-year-old to pay as much as £250 million even if he admits his guilt.
‘in order to coninue his role in [ruining] F-1.’
Whatever jail time and fine he gets, it won’t be enough.