Bruised Ecclestone knocked unconscious in London attack

UPDATE #2 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone was kicked unconscious by his muggers and on Saturday was sporting a very badly bruised eye.

The 80-year-old F1 chief executive told British newspapers his minor injuries are "painful" but he is "ok" after a group of men attacked him whilst outside his office with his girlfriend in London.

"I'm feeling it now, bit painful, it was a good whacking," said Ecclestone.

"When I was on the ground I could hear Fabiana (Flosi) screaming for help and I took a kick or two in the head and went unconscious," he revealed.

"When I came to there was blood everywhere from my head wound but I was lucky.

"It was completely stupid and uncalled for. If they had confronted me and asked for everything we had, I would have handed over everything in my pockets, my wallet, anything," said Ecclestone, adding that the muggers "ripped" the earrings from his girlfriend's ears.

He said reports that the Hublot watch taken from his wrist was worth more than $300,000 is "bollocks".

Ecclestone's daughter Tamara condemned the "hideous" attack but said her dad has already returned to work.

"It takes a lot to throw my dad off," she told the Evening Standard. "I spoke to him this morning and he is in good spirits."

11/26/10 Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone suffered a head injury when muggers attacked him and escaped with jewelry worth £200,000.

11/25/10

Bernie Ecclestone (R) survived to eat his words

(GMM) Bernie Ecclestone is nursing minor injuries after muggers attacked the diminutive F1 chief executive and his girlfriend Fabiana Flosi outside his London home.

The Sun reports that the 80-year-old was rushed to hospital with a head injury after the four attackers punched and kicked him as they stole watches and jewelry at 10.30pm on Wednesday.

Photographs of the F1 chief executive returning to work on Thursday morning showed a red mark on his right hand.

A senior police source said: "There can be little doubt this was a targeted robbery because of who Mr. Ecclestone is.

"The muggers were callous and showed little regard for the victims. They need to be caught."

Earlier this month in Brazil, Ecclestone brushed off an attempted armed mugging or kidnapping involving F1's reigning world champion Jenson Button.

"They look for victims, they look for anyone who looks like a soft touch and not too bright," said the Briton in Sao Paulo.

"People who look a bit soft and simple, they will always have a go at."