Bernie: I’ll still run the show after takeover

BERNIE ECCLESTONE last night insisted he will carry on as chief executive of Formula One for at least three years as the £6billion takeover of the sport ploughed on. He is never scared of a fight and, at 85, is refusing to give up his position as the paddock’s impresario. Despite having his power reduced, Ecclestone said he will work with new chairman Chase Carey, who will be installed by Liberty Media when they take over. ‘I will stay on as F1 chief executive,’ he said. ‘I will continue to do all the things I have previously done, such as negotiate with the circuits, television companies and people like that. ‘The good news is we will have someone on board in Chase, and he will hopefully be able to push F1 into new territories with social media. I have never found a way to make money from that.’ The deal is expected to go through — the money’s in the post — and Ecclestone will attend a board meeting on Tuesday rather than go to the Singapore Grand Prix. There remain a few formalities to be observed. The sport’s governing body the FIA, who have a one per cent share in the sport’s commercial operation, have to give their assent. That is thought unlikely to be withheld, not least because they stand to make significant money. Ecclestone’s power has been near-absolute for 40 years and he has seen off numerous coups, but he seems to accept this deal is going through. He confirmed the length of contract on offer to him when he said: ‘They want me to be here for three years. ‘There are certain things that are important to me: (Carey’s) connections in America with TV, which are good. There is also his connection with sponsors, the people he has been dealing with for years, which are also good, and finally social media, which again is good. This is all positive for the sport.’