The F1 boss also refuted any claims of wrongdoing and dismissed the German
charges.
“I still don’t know what the German prosecutors think,” Mr Ecclestone said. “I
wish I was guilty – it would be much easier. The charges are a complete load
of rubbish.”
The investigation by German authorities has also prompted HM Revenue Customs
to examine Mr Ecclestone’s tax affairs. The FI boss has denied any
irregularities, saying: “I’m British. I pay my taxes and, in the end, the
truth will come out.”
Buyout firm CVC is preparing a stock market flotation of the motor racing
business in Singapore that could value F1 at up to $12bn. An initial public
offering of the company was delayed last year by the market volatility
caused by Europe’s debt crisis but it is thought the flotation could still
take place within the next 12 months.
The impending IPO has sparked speculation about who will succeed Mr
Ecclestone, 82, but he has dismissed the rumour that J Sainsbury chief
executive Justin King would take his place in the driving seat at F1.
Mr Ecclestone said he had had no contact with the FTSE 100 supermarket boss.
“I’ve never met him and there’s no way I’m going to,” he said. “I’ll work
till I drop and then they can bury me in my bus.”
Mr King, whose son Jordan is a driver in the F3 racing series, last month
denied reports he was quitting the supermarket group and that a headhunter
had been contacted to find a successor.