From today's express. http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/262825/Bernie-Ecclestone-Prison-I-will-lead-F1-for-years-
Interesting - 3 or 4 parties interested. Let's hope whatever happens, happens before the season starts and results in Sir NW getting some cash to spend
He'd never go to prison! ================ BERNIE ECCLESTONE: 'PRISON? I WILL LEAD F1 FOR YEARS’ Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone Wednesday August 3,2011 By Bob McKenzie Have your say(0) BERNIE ECCLESTONE has warned critics that, far from being locked up in a German prison, he plans to be in control of Formula One for years to come. “I will be doing what I do best for a while yet – making good deals to keep a lot of people happy and well off in F1,” said Bernie Ecclestone, 80. “Some might not want me to continue but I enjoy what I do. That is what I’ll be judged on.” German banker Gerhard Gribkowsky is being investigated by authorities and claims he was paid £27million by Ecclestone in 2005 when F1 was being sold. Ecclestone says he made a payment because Gribkowsky, who was chief risk officer at Bayern LB, which sold a 47 per cent stake in F1 to the current owners, CVC, was “shaking me down”. Former Renault F1 boss and Ecclestone’s friend, Flavio Briatore, has been mentioned in the German tax probe. “In no shape or form is Briatore involved in this,” said Ecclestone. “He did make a payment for me but only because I asked him after this man Gribkowsky threatened to make trouble for me and said he did not want the money paid direct from the UK. Some might not want me to continue but I enjoy what I do. That is what I’ll be judged on. Bernie Ecclestone “Briatore did me a favour and, far from being dragged into this, I told the German prosecutor about it. That is how his name has appeared.” Ecclestone also says that, contrary to reports, his Formula One Management lawyers have not been investigated, although several connected to his family trust, Bambino, have spoken to the German authorities. “Neither have my company lawyers been investigated,” he said. “I don’t worry about this a bit. The end [for me]? Of course not.” Asked if he would be around for another couple of years, Ecclestone said: “Are you restricting me? If I can keep delivering, that’s all I need to do.” He and Briatore are preparing to sell QPR FC for about £100m.
bugger. had bought him an Arrow suit. Just hope I can find the receipt incase i do need to take it back.........
3 or 4 interested parties ? FFS we're almost back to square bl00dy one. So it could still be the Russian ... or Fernandes .... of someone else ... or nobody at all. Confused? Yes I am, and all the stupid speculation on here and smug teasing from some ITKs doesn't help one little bit.
I guess the other consideration to think about is maybe Bernie is suggesting he has other parties interested to raise price. The man is about a slipperly as Sid the snake on a slippery downhill slope. (try saying that after 4 or 5 pints!!)
Backs up our man's been saying eh? Mr Mordy, waiting in the wings is he? Only one way to find out.........................................................................................................................
“There are three or four parties interested,” said Ecclestone. “I want the deal done quickly. Blimey.
Why am I not surprised that Briatore's involved in the bribe to the German official. That man is attracted to scullduggery like a fly to sh*t. So Bernie pays £27m to a guy that's shaking him down. The whole thing stinks. I reckon he could be in trouble in Germany now that he's admitting the payment. Murdoch is crumbling, now its Eccles - I'm just waiting for someone to shove a pie in Bernie's face. And the race for ownership of the club is wide open still - nothing settled - Fernandes, the F1 colleague, could well be a stalking horse, red herring, stool pigeon, whatever animal you want to call him. The Goons would love to have Mittal bid against Mordy. Mittal knows it and has apparently backed away. Will he come in at the last minute? Feud with Bernie or not, I reckon Bernie will get a message to Lakshmi when the horse dealing with the others is over, saying, if you pay £x it's yours...
Ging thats quite possibly the most inaccurate statement ever made on here. Tarnish his reputation!!!!! What reputation?
I think Bernie is finally starting to show his age... âI will be doing what I do best for a while yet â making good deals to keep a lot of people happy and well off in F1,â said Bernie Ecclestone, 80. Isn't that exactly what the German presecutor is investigating him for? âSome might not want me to continue but I enjoy what I do. That is what Iâll be judged on.â What else other than what he does could he be judged on? Ecclestone says he made a payment because Gribkowsky, who was chief risk officer at Bayern LB, which sold a 47 per cent stake in F1 to the current owners, CVC, was âshaking me downâ. Shaking him down??? Good luck with that as a defense. âIn no shape or form is Briatore involved in this,â said Ecclestone. âHe did make a payment for me but only because I asked himr" Urr so doen't that mean he is involved? âBriatore did me a favour and, far from being dragged into this, I told the German prosecutor about it. That is how his name has appeared.â So basically Bernie has dragged Briatore into it... Ecclestone also says that, contrary to reports, his Formula One Management lawyers have not been investigated, âNeither have my company lawyers been investigated,â I dont think its the lawyers they want to investigate as generally they act on behalf of their client/employer - which is Bernie??? Asked if he would be around for another couple of years, Ecclestone said: âAre you restricting me? If I can keep delivering, thatâs all I need to do.â WTF - restricting him??? If by 'delivering' he means repeating payments such as the above when he has been 'shaken down' then i'm not sure this is 'all he needs to do' at all He's starting to lose the plot i think - if the above are actual quotes...
Divide and conquer Cannock. He's no fool. He'll cut a deal, pay a fine and soldier on towards another billion
Ecclestone's suggestion of 3 or 4 parties in the running for control at QPR does fit with what's been alluded to to date. These include: - Tony Fernandez (and partners?) - Alexei Mordashov - Vijay Mallya (owner of Kingfisher Breweries and F1's Force India) If there's a fourth party we have to consider Lakshmi Mittal despite what's being said. Reason being, who would he be selling his shares to? Also, what are the prospects of a Paladini consortium... Mother Earth, forgive me for thinking such things! The one thing Ecclestone's said that I really like is that he wants a quick sale...
How about Tony Fernandez to own the reserves Alexei Mordashov to own the first team Vijay Mallya to own the ground Briatore to own the tanning salon (new - opens October)
