Bernie Ecclestone held the commercial rights to Formula 1 before the $4 billion deal with Liberty Media in 2016. Ecclestone had significant involvement in the sport, transitioning from team ownership to the administrative side. This allowed him to become a prominent figure in the series. During his time in Formula 1, Ecclestone married a Croatian fashion model in 1985. However, their marriage ended in divorce, resulting in an $881 million settlement for his ex-wife.
As Ecclestone was rising through the ranks of Formula 1, he had a happy married life with Slavica Malic. The couple had two daughters and seemed content together. Unfortunately, their relationship took a turn for the worse, leading Malic to file for divorce in 2008. She won the settlement in 2009. To manage the substantial amount of money, Ecclestone set up a family office in 2023, ensuring it would not be heavily taxed.
In recent years, Ecclestone has faced several controversies and is often considered one of Britain’s biggest tax evaders. As a result, there have been rumors about his future with the team. However, Ecclestone’s extensive experience in the sport has given him a sharp understanding of the driver market, which has seen several transfers over the years.
Ecclestone recently expressed his belief that it would be illogical for Max Verstappen to leave Red Bull while the team is performing exceptionally well. He questioned the benefits Verstappen would gain from such a move, as every driver aspires to be part of the fastest team. Therefore, Ecclestone sees no possibility of Verstappen leaving Red Bull in the near future.
Despite Ecclestone’s firm stance, the driver market is known for its volatility and unexpected moves cannot be completely ruled out. In addition, fans have already witnessed potential transfers before the start of the current season, indicating that another surprising change may occur.
