Living Large the Legacy of Bernie Ecclestone

After 40 years at the top of the sport, Ecclestone’s reign has ended with the takeover of Formula 1 by US company Liberty Media. Despite rumours that he would stay, Ecclestone has been replaced...

- Puneet Ahlawat

Bernie Ecclestone was a car dealer, who became the giant of motor racing, amassing a £3.6billion fortune that has allowed him to live life in the fast lane with some of the world’s most glamorous women, most of whom towered over the 5ft 3in F1 boss. When his second marriage turned sour, he could afford a £594million divorce settlement with Slavica Ecclestone. His two socialite daughters from his second marriage too are living a luxurious life because of her father. Petra and Tamara are renowned for their style and spending spree. However, everything has to come to an end one day and this is what has happened with Bernie Ecclestone, the undisputed king of Formula 1. After 40 years at the top of the sport, Ecclestone’s reign has ended with the takeover of Formula 1 by US company Liberty Media. Despite rumours that he would stay, Ecclestone has been replaced by Chase Carey, who had already been appointed chairman of F1 and will now also become chief executive. Ecclestone has been left with the largely honorary position of chairman emeritus. Liberty Media’s statement carried quotes from Ecclestone, who said: “I’m proud of the business that I built over the last 40 years and all that I have achieved with Formula 1, and would like to thank all of the promoters, teams, sponsors and television companies that I have worked with. I’m very pleased that the business has been acquired by Liberty and that it intends to invest in the future of F1. I am sure that Chase will execute his role in a way that will benefit the sport.” Ecclestone earlier told German magazine Auto, Motor and Sport he had been “deposed”. Retired 2016 champion Nico Rosberg was the first of the sport’s big names to react on social media, tweeting: “Bernie, mega job! But a change has been overdue. Mr. Carey, all the best in making our sport awesome again.” The walking away from the sport that too forcibly won’t have an