LONDON: Bernie Ecclestone has been replaced as Formula One supremo by the sport’s new owners Liberty Media and offered a new honorary role, Auto Motor und Sport magazine reported yesterday.
Contacted by Reuters, the 86-year-old Briton declined to comment on the report.
The German publication quoted him as saying: “I was deposed today. I’ve gone. That’s official. I am not running the company anymore. My position has been taken over by Chase Carey.”
Carey, a 62-year-old American who was executive vice-chairman of Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox, was appointed Formula One chairman in September and has spent the past few months familiarising himself with the glamour sport.
Asked about his future, he said: “My days in the office will be getting quieter now. Maybe I will attend a Grand Prix sometime in the future.
“I still have many friends in Formula 1, and I still have enough money to afford to attend a race.”
Ecclestone added that he doesn’t expect to retain his seat on the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
“I doubt it,” he said when asked if he would remain involved. “First of all, I have to talk to (FIA President) Jean Todt about this.”
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