Investment fund CVC Capital Partners now has a 35.5% controlling stake in F1.
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In an interview with Associated Press, when asked about the prospect of F1 being sold, the sport’s supremo admitted: “I think so, maybe this year”.
The situation would appear to leave Ecclestone’s future as the kingpin of Formula One in doubt.
CVC bought its stake in 2006 with two loans and in that time has reaped around $4.4bn from the sport.
Bernie Ecclestone has stated that Formula 1 could be sold to a new owner before the end of 2016.
Reports in June said a deal potentially worth up to £5billion was being fronted by Stephen Ross, the U.S. property tycoon who owns the Miami Dolphins, with the backing of Qatar Sports Investments – the Middle Eastern firm which owns French football club Paris St Germain.
“There has been a lot of interest and there are three (interested parties) at the moment”, Ecclestone said. “I’d be surprised if one of them don’t buy very shortly”.
At the same conference, Mercedes AMG Petronas boss Toto Wolff said it was important for the sport to have a “sustainable shareholder with a long-term perspective and vision”.
“Will F1 get new owners this year?” Didn’t happen. Periodically stories emerge suggesting there are parties interested in buying F1. He may have to sell his shares. Meanwhile, Ecclestone himself is a master of misdirection and manipulation. Addressing a Camp Beckenbauer event via videolink, the 84-year-old said the decision rested with CVC Capital Partners and its chairman, Donald Mackenzie.
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“A sale might happen – but for most F1 insiders this will get filed under “believe it when you see it”.
