Network of… Bernie Ecclestone

Network of… Bernie Ecclestone

As protests in Bahrain have resulted in a postponement of the Grand Prix, all eyes are on F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone. Kipp decided to take a look at him too, only we were interested in his cohorts…

February 21, 2011 4:53 by shafeer

“Bernie Ecclestone makes a very good friend and a very bad enemy… He’s not just a businessman. He is a racer. A straightforward businessman may take risky decisions, but racers like Ecclestone live right on the edge” is what The Guardian has to say about the legendary Formula One chief. Ecclestone is now in the news because of speculation that the current protests in Bahrain may result in the opening F1 race being postponed, although so far Ecclestone has said that the ball is in the Bahraini court.

But enough about that, onto the man himself: Ecclestone is often credited as the reason that F1 has achieved the commercial success it has. Although he has undergone a heart surgery and triple coronary bypass in 1999, he’s been in the news for his colorful lifestyle and deep pockets. Born in Suffolk in 1930, Ecclestone left school at the age of 16 to pursue his love of motors. After WW2 he traded spare motorcycle parts and soon after formed Compton & Ecclestone. In 1957 Ecclestone purchased F1 Connaught racing team and so began his involvment with the sport. Soon after he became manager of Jochen Rindt and later formed the Formula One Constructors’ Association. He is now the president of Formula One Management Ltd. Click “next” to see the little big man’s network.