How much did Bernie Ecclestone sell F1 for?
John Peck
Updated on March 30, 2026
BMW withdrew from Formula One after the 1987 season. Having bought the team from Ron Tauranac for approximately $120,000 at the end of 1971, Ecclestone eventually sold it for over US$5 million to a Swiss businessman, Joachim Luhti in 1988.
What F1 team did Bernie Ecclestone own?
The Brabham
The Brabham Years In 1971 Bernie bought the Brabham F1 team from Ron Tauranac for a reported $120,000. Forty years later that sum of money might seem laughable.
When did Bernie leave F1?
“Mr Ecclestone has played no role in Formula 1 since he left our organisation in 2017, his title Chairman Emeritus, being honorific, expired in January 2020.”
When did Bernie buy F1?
Brabham was Ecclestone’s team, buying them for £100,000 in 1971 and selling for a huge profit 17 years later. During that time, the team won 22 races and two Drivers’ World Championship titles through Nelson Piquet in 1981 and 1983.
Why was Bernie Ecclestone removed?
That set in motion a series of sales where the rights were passed from one entity to another, a process that led Ecclestone to stand trial for bribery in Germany in 2014. The case was dropped after a payment of $100m (£79m) without presumption of guilt or innocence.
How did Bernie Ecclestone own F1?
Ecclestone returned to racing in 1957 as manager of the driver Stuart Lewis-Evans and purchased two chassis from the disbanded Connaught F1 team. It was in 1972 when Ecclestone really made his mark with the purchase of Brabham from Ron Taurance for £100,000 and began decades of long advocacy for team control of F1.
Who took over Bernie Ecclestone?
Chase Carey
A statement released by Liberty on Monday evening confirmed its £6billion takeover is complete and said Ecclestone would be taking up a new role as chairman emeritus, with F1 chairman Chase Carey succeeding him as chief executive.
Why did Chase Carey leave F1?
John Malone’s Liberty Media said Chase Carey will drop his CEO and chairman titles at racing circuit Formula One to focus on the role of non-executive chairman. The new CEO is Lamborghini boss Stefano Domenicali.
Who is taking over from Chase Carey?
Stefano Domenicali
Former Ferrari team boss understood to be taking on role from Carey ahead of the 2021 Formula 1 season. Chase Carey will relinquish the role of F1 CEO before the start of next season and will be replaced by former Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali.
Who is Bernard Ecclestone and why is he famous?
No driver, or team owner or personality has been as influential in the history of Formula One as Bernard Charles Ecclestone. The CEO of Formula One Management has almost single handily lifted the sport from a rich man’s hobby, to a professional and lucrative worldwide business.
Where did Sir Roger Ecclestone go to school?
Ecclestone attended primary school in Wissett before the family moved to Danson Road, Bexleyheath, South East London, in 1938. He was not evacuated to the countryside during the Second World War and remained with his family.
Where was Eddie Ecclestone born and raised?
Ecclestone was born in St Peter, South Elmham, a hamlet three miles south of Bungay, Suffolk. The son of a fisherman, he attended primary school in Wissett before the family moved to Danson Road, Bexleyheath, north west Kent, in 1938.
What happened to Colin Seeley at Ecclestone?
Ecclestone made him an offer of £100,000 for the whole team, which Tauranac eventually accepted. The Australian stayed on as designer and to run the factory. Colin Seeley was briefly brought in against Tauranac’s wishes to assist in design and management.
