Bernie Ecclestone on Wednesday hailed the "capitalist system" that saw him escape a bribery trial by paying the German court a record $100 million settlement. On Tuesday, the judge in Munich rubber-stamped the deal struck between the F1 supremo's lawyers and the prosecutors in the case surrounding a $44 million bribe made years ago to jailed Gerhard Gribkowsky.
Clearly, the fact a figure like billionaire Briton Ecclestone was able to cling to power in F1 and avoid jail simply by dipping into his vast fortune has been highly controversial. The 83-year-old is unapologetic. "It's certainly a bit unfortunate to pay so much money," he told Wednesday's edition of the German tabloid Bild, "but it would be worse to not have the money. I like this capitalist system," he added.
Not at all surprised, however, is former F1 manager Willi Weber, who made his fortune taking 20 per cent of Michael Schumacher's vast earnings."I said a few months ago that it would be settled with money," he told Sport Bild on Wednesday. "That's how it is in formula one, and the same as when he gave Gribkowsky that money -- without thinking too much about it," added Weber. (GMM)
Ecclestone hails 'capitalist' system after record settlement
- Published on 06 Aug 2014 16:24
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
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Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
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