In Germany, Ecclestone was recently indicted with regard to a £29m payment
made to a banker to help smooth the sale of F1 to CVC.
Ecclestone claims he was being “shaken down” by Gerhard Gribkowsky,
previously Bayern LB’s chief risk officer and who managed the sale.
Gribkowsky was imprisoned last June for eight-and-a-half years after being
found guilty of breach of trust, tax evasion and receipt of corrupt
payments.
Prosecutors in Gribkowsky’s trial claimed he sold the stake without updating
its valuation in return for bribes disguised as consulting contracts.
Ecclestone claims the money was paid to avoid particular financial dealings
being exposed by Gribkowsky to the Inland Revenue with regard to an offshore
family trust known as Bambino Holdings.
Horner added: “It’s obviously very difficult for us to judge the issues
(Ecclestone) is currently dealing with, but I’m sure he is fully focused.
“So long as Bernie is able to run the business, then he is absolutely the
right guy to be running it. It’s as simple as that.
“And he has the full backing of the shareholders of Formula One.”
It has previously been suggested as a close friend of Ecclestone, Horner could
be the man to eventually be his successor.
When asked whether Ecclestone had sounded him out about the prospect, Horner
replied: “No, not at all.
“I’m fully focused on what I’m doing.
“Bernie is a remarkable guy, and I doubt he has given much thought to
succession to be honest with you because he is focused on the here and now,
which is where the issues tend to be.
“I hope he goes on for a long time to come.”
(Edited by Nick Pearce)