Ecclestone Hints at Exit if Murdoch F1 Bid Succeeds

Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has hinted that he could quit his role if Rupert Murdoch’s media group succeeds in a proposed bid to take control of the sport, the Sunday Times reported.

Having previously dismissed the idea of retirement, Ecclestone, 80, said in an interview with the newspaper: “I’m old enough to get a pension, so I don’t have to get a job. I’d have to be sure the people (who end up owning F1) are people I would like to work with and whether they would want to work with me.”

A source familiar with the situation told Reuters last week that News Corporation had held early talks with Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim and at least one of the sport’s big car manufacturers about forming a consortium to acquire control.

Separate sources had previously told Reuters that private equity firm CVC, the current owner, was conducting a strategic review and could sell.