Ecclestone plays down F1 board exit

(GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has played down his exit from the F1 board, insisting he is still in charge of the sport.

Whilst continuing to run the day to day business, the long-standing F1 'supremo' has relinquished his directorship pending the outcome of the criminal bribery trial in Munich.

But he told the BBC: "The minute the court case is over I'll be back on the board again.

"Everybody on the board is more than a million per cent supportive. They just want me to get on with doing what I always do."

However, the holding company Delta Topco's statement explained that while Ecclestone remains chief executive for now, he will be more closely monitored.

Ecclestone responded: "For Formula One Management it's the same as before. There is no change at all.

"It's just that if I wanted to buy something I can't do it without board approval.

"But when it comes to races, circuits, it will be as we've always done. It will be the same thing," he added.