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Bernie Ecclestone made his first appearance in the Formula 1 paddock since being ousted as CEO of the sport in January. He was a noticeable addition in the pitlane yesterday, as many wondered what he is doing back.
"I didn't leave," the Journal de Montreal quotes him as saying. "It's good to be back, but I only missed two races. And I wouldn't have gone to them anyway."
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Ecclestone's position was spread out between Chase Carey, Sean Bratches and Ross Brawn when Liberty Media took over F1 earlier this year, but he has admitted that he is still yet to meet one of the men.
"I haven't met Sean Bratches, and although I have known Ross Brawn for a long time, this year we've spoken for about 10 minutes," international media reports quote the Briton as saying.
Suggestions in the pitlane are that the 86 year old has returned to negotiate with Bahrain officials over a new race deal: "I have no idea if that's true," he said mischievously when asked. "Everything is possible, but I doubt it."
Former driver David Coulthard thinks that Ecclestone is just a distraction from the main event: "Sport is about winners and exceptional performances," he wrote in the Telegraph.
"Bernie Ecclestone returning was very exciting, but it will not be big news tomorrow, and come Sunday he'll just be another person in the paddock. And that will be the same for Jenson in Monaco."
Fergal Walsh
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