Formula One chief's fate hangs in balance amid legal battle

London

BERNIE Ecclestone risks losing his decades-old grip on Formula One motor racing this year, when legal action stemming from the sale of a stake in the sport eight years ago reaches a climax.

Mr Ecclestone, 83, is awaiting the outcome of a US$100 million damages claim brought by German company Constantin Medien in the London High Court over his involvement in a deal that brought in CVC Capital Partners as the largest shareholder in Formula One.