Formula 1
Ecclestone no longer talking about bribe affair
During an interview with a German newspaper on Monday, Bernie Ecclestone did not want to talk about accusations of bribery and corruption. Other publications in the country claim it was the F1 chief executive who paid under-fire banker Gerhard Gribkowsky a $50m kickback amid the sale of the sport's commercial rights five years ago. "On the advice of my lawyers I don't want to say anything more on this issue," said the 80-year-old, who has previously denied any connection with the bribe. Ecclestone was slightly more forthcoming on the topic of the 2011 Formula One season, but unlike last year - when he correctly predicted that Sebastian Vettel would win the title - he is not yet naming a favourite. "There is the Spaniard (Fernando Alonso) in the red car who this year will not so easily accept defeat as in the last. Sebastian of course will be strong, and I trust Mercedes and Michael Schumacher to make a leap. "Any more than that, I want to wait until after the first tests," he ...
GMM
Published: Feb 2, 2011, 12:22 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
During an interview with a German newspaper on Monday, Bernie Ecclestone did not want to talk about accusations of bribery and corruption.
Other publications in the country claim it was the F1 chief executive who paid under-fire banker Gerhard Gribkowsky a $50m kickback amid the sale of the sport's commercial rights five years ago.
"On the advice of my lawyers I don't want to say anything more on this issue," said the 80-year-old, who has previously denied any connection with the bribe.
Ecclestone was slightly more forthcoming on the topic of the 2011 Formula One season, but unlike last year - when he correctly predicted that Sebastian Vettel would win the title - he is not yet naming a favourite.
"There is the Spaniard (Fernando Alonso) in the red car who this year will not so easily accept defeat as in the last. Sebastian of course will be strong, and I trust Mercedes and Michael Schumacher to make a leap.
"Any more than that, I want to wait until after the first tests," he insisted.
Ecclestone, however, is rarely uncontroversial in interviews, so he threw some more fuel on the fire of a spat with authorities in Melbourne.
"20 races is enough," he answered when asked about the future of F1.
"If we have some new races, some others will fall out -- we don't need Australia, for instance."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Valencia takes center stage with first 2011 test days
Next article Williams FW33 launch notes
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin knew before Mexico GP it would not finish, Honda brings new countermeasures
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
Aston Martin knew before Mexico GP it would not finish, Honda brings new countermeasures
Why Honda’s power unit lasted barely five laps in F1 Mexico GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Why Honda’s power unit lasted barely five laps in F1 Mexico GP
More from
Mercedes
Charles Leclerc penalised for Liam Lawson clash; Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman also punished after F1 Brazilian GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
5 h
Charles Leclerc penalised for Liam Lawson clash; Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman also punished after F1 Brazilian GP
Kimi Antonelli: "Weird" spin and car instability cost F1 Brazilian GP win
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
6 h
Kimi Antonelli: "Weird" spin and car instability cost F1 Brazilian GP win
Latest news
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
3 h
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
Official race results: NASCAR Cup Homestead season finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
3 h
Official race results: NASCAR Cup Homestead season finale
Ryan Blaney wins Homestead NASCAR Cup finale as Kyle Larson claims 2026 title
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
3 h
Ryan Blaney wins Homestead NASCAR Cup finale as Kyle Larson claims 2026 title
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
4 h
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
Feature
Discover prime content
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Formula 1
By Pat Symonds
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe