“No, we are not obliged to sell,” Mackenzie told Motorsport.com. “It is unlikely that we will be here forever, but we are definitely not obliged to sell. Bernie often says things he doesn’t mean.”
Mackenzie has proved to be Ecclestone’s best ally in recent years, keeping him on throughout his trial for bribery in Germany, and at the end of last year despite plans to bring in a city executive. Ecclestone has often said Mackenzie, an avowed fan of Formula One, would prefer not to sell his favourite asset.
Lewis Hamilton’s thrilling win in Texas will have boosted F1’s value
The private equity boss has joined the 84-year-old is talking down the sport this year, but was thrilled after an astonishing race on Sunday, which saw Lewis Hamilton win his third world championship.
“It was brilliant, wasn’t it?” Mackenzie added. “It often happens when it rains.
“I was pleased for Lewis, and also for the fans. I came from England, I was worried about coming all this way and it not happening. So it was great that it came off, and it was a brilliant race.
“And it also shows you that with the right ingredients, F1 is still fantastic. Close racing. You saw that the Red Bulls with less power and more grip were right up the front, until the slicks came on.”