Ecclestone denies any wrongdoing. He does not deny paying Gribkowsky but
claims he was “shaken down” by the banker, who allegedly threatened to make
false claims that would have resulted in damaging investigations by UK tax
authorities about his relationship with Bambino, potentially triggering a UK
tax investigation and cost him billions of pounds. In 2012 Gribkowsky was
jailed for more than eight years for offences including tax evasion and
bribery.
A judgement on the High Court case is expected by Mr Justice Newey this month.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, said yesterday that Ecclestone is the
“only guy” to run Formula One, despite his legal difficulties.
“Bernie is absolutely the best and only guy to do what he does, to take
Formula One to the global reach that the sport has achieved, introducing
races in Russia this year, going back to the Austrian Grand Prix,” Horner
said.
“It’s a massive calendar that he’s pulled together [for 2014]… it’s in all our
interests that he’s around as long as possible.”
CVC currently owns a 35.5 per cent stake in Formula One, after it sold down
its holding from 63 per cent last year.
Plans for a stock market flotation in Singapore have been postponed until the
legal actions against Ecclestone have been resolved, CVC’s co-founder Donald
Mackenzie said last year.
Mackenzie added that if Ecclestone were to be found guilty of breaking the
law, the Formula One supremo could be sacked. “If it is proven that Mr
Ecclestone has done anything that is criminally wrong, we would fire him,”
Mackenzie said in November.
Meanwhile, Jenson Button has paid tribute to his late father, John Button,
saying he was “such as big part” of his life and that Button was “very
proud” to be his son. The British driver thanked fans for their support
since his father died of a suspected heart attack on Sunday.
John Button, known affectionately as “Papa Smurf”, was instrumental in
Jenson’s career from starting out karting in Frome, Somerset, to his world
championship triumph in 2009. He died at his home in the South of France on
Sunday.
“Papa you cannot believe how very proud I feel to be able to call you my Dad,”
Button wrote.
“Thank you all for your lovely messages about my Dad, it’s so nice to see he
touched so many people. He was such a big part of my life I’m going to miss
him so so much.
“I love you Papa Smurf, you will forever be in my heart.”