At ninety-four years old, former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is far from the youngest. Yet, the British veteran is still involved in the daily operations of the sport. Not only are journalists curious about his opinion; team bosses, drivers, and managers also line up for Ecclestone’s advice. For instance, he was recently involved in the deal between Formula 2 talent Gabriel Bortoleto and Sauber.
“Only his brain is not affected by age,” wrote reporter Roger Benoit for the German BLICK. The patriarch of Formula 1 journalism visited Bernie Ecclestone at his home in São Paulo and discovered that the Englishman just can’t let go of the premier class. The phone is constantly ringing at the Ecclestone residence. Gabriel Bortoleto’s family, who recently secured a contract with Sauber, also approached the so-called F1 Supremo for advice.”Bortoleto’s father thanked us for our assistance in his son’s transfer to Audi-Sauber,” Ecclestone casually mentioned. “We opened a few doors there.” The British veteran couldn’t say much more about it. “The most important thing is that Bortoleto finds an apartment near the factory immediately,” he suggested. The young Brazilian will make his Formula 1 debut in 2025. By the time Sauber is taken over by Audi in 2026, he should have gained some experience.
Takeover by Audi
Ecclestone claims to be surprised that Sauber still exists. “I once told Peter (Sauber) that Switzerland is really a kind of island for Formula 1,” Ecclestone revealed. “So, I admire his perseverance.” The British businessman is curious about what Audi can bring to the team. Sauber, currently operating as Stake F1 Team and using Ferrari engines, will become an Audi factory team with its own powertrain in two years.
“Audi is coming,” Ecclestone also knows. “I think the Germans might be happy that there is a lot of interest from Qatar; many people want to get involved in this project.” Audi/Sauber could use all the help it can get. According to Ecclestone, the road to the top of Formula 1 is not an easy one. Especially if you haven’t built a decent car yet – and your own engine is still a question mark.”
