close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US
Bernie Ecclestone ahead of his court appearance

Ex-F1 boss SENTENCED after pleading guilty to £400 million fraud

Bernie Ecclestone ahead of his court appearance — Photo: © LAT Images

Ex-F1 boss SENTENCED after pleading guilty to £400 million fraud

The businessman is one of the wealthiest men in Britain

Sam Cook
Digital Journalist
Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023
 Google Make us your Google favorite

Former Formula 1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has been handed a 17-month suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to fraud over £400 million that he failed to declare.

The British businessman ran the sport from 1978-2017, although his influence in F1 grew from the moment he bought the Brabham team back in 1972.

He played a crucial role in negotiating television rights for grands prix to be shown across the world in the late 1970s, which ultimately allowed the sport to grow into what it has become today.

However, his time in F1 wasn't without controversy, and he was replaced by Chase Carey as chief executive in January 2017.

Now, Ecclestone has pleaded guilty to failing to declare £400 million held in a trust in Singapore to the government in July 2015.

Bernie Ecclestone bought the Brabham team in 1972 and worked with F1 legends, including Nelson Piquet
Bernie Ecclestone bought the Brabham team in 1972 and worked with F1 legends, including Nelson Piquet
Bernie Ecclestone has seen many legends come and go in the sport, including Michael Schumacher
Bernie Ecclestone has seen many legends come and go in the sport, including Michael Schumacher
Ecclestone was replaced as F1 chief executive by Chase Carey in 2017
Ecclestone was replaced as F1 chief executive by Chase Carey in 2017

The 92-year-old had been due to face trial in November over the matter having previously denied it, but has now pleaded guilty to the single charge of fraud.

He has been handed a 17-month suspended prison sentence for the crime after being sentenced at Southwark Crown Court.

In his plea, Ecclestone said he "was wrong" to tell HM Revenue and Customs back in 2015 that he had established "only a single trust" as it "ran the risk HMRC would not continue to investigate."

READ MORE: Bernie Ecclestone: The life and times of controversial former F1 supremo

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Carlos Sainz confirms contract talks as F1 star admits he’s unsure over Williams future

Carlos Sainz confirms contract talks as F1 star admits he’s unsure over Williams future

  • 13 minutes ago
F1 boss calls for 48-race season

F1 boss calls for 48-race season

  • 57 minutes ago
F1 News Today: Max Verstappen future to be announced as Fernando Alonso signing priority outlined

F1 News Today: Max Verstappen future to be announced as Fernando Alonso signing priority outlined

  • 1 hour ago
Sky Sports star reveals emotional Lewis Hamilton goodbye before shock F1 exit

Sky Sports star reveals emotional Lewis Hamilton goodbye before shock F1 exit

  • 1 hour ago
Driver suffers horror 190mph crash after taking off like a plane at former F1 track

Driver suffers horror 190mph crash after taking off like a plane at former F1 track

  • 3 hours ago
Max Verstappen shares team pride after breakthrough win

Max Verstappen shares team pride after breakthrough win

  • Today 13:15

Just in

17:26
Carlos Sainz confirms contract talks as F1 star admits he’s unsure over Williams future
16:42
F1 boss calls for 48-race season
16:29
F1 News Today: Max Verstappen future to be announced as Fernando Alonso signing priority outlined
15:55
Sky Sports star reveals emotional Lewis Hamilton goodbye before shock F1 exit
14:00
Driver suffers horror 190mph crash after taking off like a plane at former F1 track
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

F1 boss calls for 48-race season Latest F1 News

F1 boss calls for 48-race season

57 minutes ago
Driver suffers horror 190mph crash after taking off like a plane at former F1 track Fuji Speedway

Driver suffers horror 190mph crash after taking off like a plane at former F1 track

3 hours ago
Lewis Hamilton ridiculed for 'ridiculous clothing' by former F1 team boss Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton ridiculed for 'ridiculous clothing' by former F1 team boss

Today 09:15
Max Verstappen set 'to announce F1 future' at upcoming race F1 News & Gossip

Max Verstappen set 'to announce F1 future' at upcoming race

Yesterday 19:45
Ontdek het op Google Play
x