Bernie Ecclestone

Who is Bernie Ecclestone?

Bernard Charles "Bernie" Ecclestone is a British business magnate. He is the president and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration and through his part-ownership of Alpha Prema, the parent company of the Formula One Group of companies. As such, he is generally considered the primary authority in Formula One racing. He is most commonly described in tabloid journalism as "F1 Supremo". His early involvement in the sport was as a competitor and then as a manager of drivers Stuart Lewis-Evans and Jochen Rindt. In 1972, he bought the Brabham team, which he ran for fifteen years. As a team owner he became a member of the Formula One Constructors Association. His control of the sport, which grew from his pioneering the sale of television rights in the late 1970s, is chiefly financial, but under the terms of the Concorde Agreement he and his companies also manage the administration, setup and logistics of each Formula One Grand Prix. Ecclestone entered two Grand Prix races as a driver, during the 1958 season, but failed to qualify for either of them.

Ecclestone is also the ex-majority owner of the English football club Queens Park Rangers.