Prosecutor Christoph Rodler yesterday rejected Ecclestone’s defence.
“Ecclestone was not a victim of blackmail, but a fellow participant in
bribery,” he told the court in his closing statements.
Daimler, meanwhile, has played down rumours that it might pull its
Mercedes-Benz brand out of the sport due to issues of compliance.
“We welcome clarification of the recent allegations in Formula One,” a
spokesman told this newspaper.
“We await the assessment of the relevant authorities. Compliance is of central
importance for Daimler.”
Asked if its position might change should Ecclestone be charged, the spokesman
stressed that was pure conjecture.
“Should a conviction of corruption be reached, we would then evaluate that
case,” he said. “Our Formula One commitment is for the long term and an
integral component of our company philosophy.”