Bernie Ecclestone facing the Munich Court

Bernie Ecclestone traveled to Munich yesterday to appear at the Munich Court in the Gribkowsky case. Mr E. is on trial for having paid the sum of 27,5 million pounds (or more than 33,4 million euros) to banker Gerhard Gribkowsky who was sentenced to eight years in prison. If the financier of the F1 admitted having paid this sum, he claims to have been the victim of blackmail by the German banker. “I saw my life’s work being threatened. People may wonder how Bernie Ecclestone can be put under pressure. It's possible if you know where to press and Gerhard Gribkowsky knew that.", communicated Bernie in a press release read yesterday during the trial.

But his defense struggles to convince the courts who believe that this sum was paid to ensure the sale of F1 rights to CVC Partners. Bernie Ecclestone was acquitted at the start of the year by British justice following a complaint filed by Constantin Medien against Bernie Eccletsone, the German investment fund claiming damages from the F1 financier for having favored CVC. But the verdict nevertheless underlined that the British businessman's line of defense had not convinced the Court.

The BBC indicates that the trial will resume on May 2 but that the first testimonies will not be collected before the 9th of the same month. Bernie Ecclestone could not only lose control of F1 if found guilty but also face a prison sentence.