Back-on-board Bernie's cheeky card

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Published Dec 19, 2014

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London - Bernie Ecclestone's control of Formula One was fully restored on Thursday after overcoming court cases that threatened his grip on the motorsport series.

The 84-year-old Ecclestone stepped down as a board member of F1's holding company this year while standing trial for bribery in Germany. The case was closed in August when Ecclestone made a $100 million settlement payment.

Investment group CVC Capital Partner, F1's controlling shareholder, announced Ecclestone's return to the board in a statement on Thursday, and that he will continue as chief executive.

CVC also said former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo and Paul Walsh, the former chief executive of drinks giant Diageo, will become non-executive directors from January.

Ecclestone built his powerbase in F1 from the 1970s, and helped to create the Formula One Constructors' Association that controlled the business side of the series, including selling the TV rights.

CHEEKY CHRISTMAS CARD

This week Ecclestone also revisited his German bribery trial in a mischievous Christmas card depicting himself handing over $100 million to a masked highwayman pointing a pistol at him.

“This is not a robbery. I am collecting for the Bavarian state,” says the cartoon figure on horseback as Ecclestone holds the sack of money.

In a further greeting inside the card sent to Reuters, Ecclestone adds another tongue-in-cheek comment: “Maybe now we can have a Formula One race in the really nice city of Munich, Germany.”

See the card on Twitter by clicking HERE .

Sapa-AP & Reuters

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