Bernie Ecclestone

Lore & Background

Ecclestone was born in Bexleyheath, Kent (now part of Greater London) and raised in Bexleyheath. He began his business career trading motorcycle parts after World War II. He started racing in Formula Three in 1949, but his racing career was brief and unremarkable with no notable wins. After purchasing two Connaught chassis in 1958, Ecclestone entered the Monaco Grand Prix in Formula One as a privateer, but did not qualify; he did not attempt to qualify for the British Grand Prix.

He then became a driver manager for Stuart Lewis-Evans and was a friend or associate of Jochen Rindt, the latter winning the World Drivers' Championship posthumously in 1970. Ecclestone purchased Brabham in 1972—which he operated for 15 years—leading the team to 22 victories, as well as two World Drivers' Championship titles with Nelson Piquet. He was a key figure in the Formula One Constructors' Association, leading them through the FISA–FOCA war.

Reader's Guide

Ecclestone's control of the sport, which grew from his pioneering sale of television rights in the late-1970s, was primarily financial; under the terms of the Concorde Agreement in 1987, Ecclestone and his companies also controlled the administration, setup and logistics of each Formula One Grand Prix. He also founded International Sportsworld Communicators in 1996, controlling the commercial rights to the World Rally Championship until 2000. He placed fifth on the Sunday Times Rich List in 2002, and declined both a CBE and a knighthood from Elizabeth II. He co-owned association football club Queens Park Rangers with Flavio Briatore from 2007 to 2011, overseeing their promotion to the Premier League. He sold the Formula One Group to Liberty Media in 2017, subsequently being appointed as chairman emeritus and adviser to the board of directors until his departure in 2020.

Did You Know?

• Over his four-decade career as an executive in Formula One, Ecclestone was involved in several controversies.
• With the birth of his son in 2020, he became one of the oldest known fathers, aged 89.