FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[racechick]

I'm quite good with naughty tshirts.

[darwin dali]

I'm quite good with naughty tshirts.

And without them, too

[What's Burning?]

Our most favorite of octegenarians is set to be in the news for the next few months.

ESPNF1 A report in the Times claims that Bernie Ecclestone's time as the head of Formula One is drawing to a close as he begins his trial on bribery charges in a German court on Thursday.

Ecclestone is accused of paying a $44million (£26m) bribe to German banker Gerhard Gribkowsky to help ensure a stake in F1 was sold to a company he favoured, CVC Capital Partners, in 2006. It is reported that Ecclestone could be ordered to pay up to £250 million to avoid going to jail, but that would also mean he would have to admit his guilt. He has always ruled out any suggestions of such a settlement.

But the Times says that CVC Capital Partners, the City-based private equity firm which owns Formula One, has been advised by a City law firm that it cannot continue with Ecclestone as chief executive. The turning point amid all the bribery allegations appears to have come in January when a London judge described Ecclestone as "untruthful and unreliable".

"It's over," a source close to the board was quoted as saying by the newspaper. "In truth, it has been over for a while, but Bernie has been allowed to continue as the face of the sport until this legal advice, which was devastating."

In a hard-hitting editorial, the Times called for him to stand down. "He would be missed by some but is by no means indispensable. No other professional sport expects to get away with the opaque business style that has become the norm under Mr Ecclestone. The time has come for F1 to clean its house."

Ecclestone's trail, which is expected to run until September, will only be held for two days a week to allow him to continue to maintain a tight grip on the sport. Ecclestone admits making the payment to Gribkowsky but says it was a result of "a sophisticated shakedown" and denies any wrongdoing, but could face 10 years in jail if found guilty.

[The Second Coming]

There has been some light conversation about a few of the top teams reaching between the couch cushions to scrape up some money for a controlling stake in F1…some would say a consideration for the post Ecclestone era. The clear notion being to have more say in the direction of the sport and to yield a greater take in the profits. OK, I get it. I could see both sides of the coin to this working or going pear shaped because of egos and assumed entitlement. OR…is this where we see the emergence of one Ross Brawn? I could see leadership from such a governor. The respect for him within the confines of the sport is already immense but beyond the circus, it's also quite good. He doesn't bring that "I'd like to sell you some swamp land" element that Uncle Bernie sometimes wears proudly upon his countenance. (Mr. Ecclestone, I meant that in the nicest of ways.)

Teams already bickering amongst themselves…seems the right time to bring some order back to the fore. The outstanding question remains...where do we go from here? (And the answer is not Christian Horner. PLEASE!)

[racechick]

Bernie leaving can't come soon enough. But he wants Horner, and that would be a nightmare!

[The Second Coming]

Bernie leaving can't come soon enough. But he wants Horner, and that would be a nightmare!

Would be interesting to hear the opinion of Sir Ron and the lot about the prospect of Horner in the front office.

[sagi58]

Bernie leaving can't come soon enough. But he wants Horner, and that would be a nightmare!

Considering recent events, isn't an endorsement from Ecclestone like a kiss of death?

[LewEngBridewell]

Bernie leaving can't come soon enough.

Agreed. He's way past his time. I just hope the end of his reign comes quickly.

[racechick]

Bernie leaving can't come soon enough.

Agreed. He's way past his time. I just hope the end of his reign comes quickly.

Well whatever happens in the court case the company( genie? Cvc? Whatever it's called) have said they no longer want Bernie running it because or the disrepute factor. So he has to go, I guess it's when and how.

[The Second Coming]

So Uncle Bernie is spending more than a weekend in the slammer. They post the job and only three people apply:
1. Flavio Briatore
2. Eddie Irvine
3. Murray Walker

Who gets your vote? (This ought to be interesting! )

[LewEngBridewell]

I hate Eddie Irvine, but I like his views on gravel traps. Maybe he's the chosen one.

[Jabberwocky]

I think Toto might be a dark horse for this

Sent using NCC-1701

[The Second Coming]

I hate Eddie Irvine, but I like his views on gravel traps. Maybe he's the chosen one.

Ha! At least he'll always have a pint in hand, a couple lassies on his arm and intermittent peeks over his shoulders for the coppers in pursuit for indiscretion our Eddie committed recently. I'll give him this, he's not a dull chap.

[sagi58]

I hate Eddie Irvine, but I like his views on gravel traps. Maybe he's the chosen one.

Ha! At least he'll always have a pint in hand, a couple lassies on his arm and intermittent peeks over his shoulders for the coppers in pursuit for indiscretion our Eddie committed recently. I'll give him this, he's not a dull chap.

I had to re-read that... I thought you meant Briatore, for a moment!!

[The Second Coming]

I hate Eddie Irvine, but I like his views on gravel traps. Maybe he's the chosen one.

Ha! At least he'll always have a pint in hand, a couple lassies on his arm and intermittent peeks over his shoulders for the coppers in pursuit for indiscretion our Eddie committed recently. I'll give him this, he's not a dull chap.

I had to re-read that... I thought you meant Briatore, for a moment!!

If it were Briatore, I would have mentioned the thong Speedo he likes to parade around in at the beach. (Goodness…it took me two years to get over that imagery. Just saying it means back to therapy for me.)