Bernie Ecclestone to exit as FIA approves Formula 1 buyout

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone walks in the paddock before the first practice session at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi on November 27, 2015
© AFP
The final hurdle has been cleared as Liberty Media races towards completing its takeover of Formula 1.

The final hurdle has been cleared as Liberty Media races towards completing its takeover of Formula 1.

Earlier this week, shareholders of the US media tycoon John Malone's company approved the buyout, saying that the last hurdle would be the FIA's green light.

That was achieved on Wednesday, during an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Geneva.

The FIA, which will retain its controversial 1% ownership share, said that it believes Liberty "is clearly well positioned to ensure the continued development of its pinnacle championship".

The future of F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, however, is less clear.

As Wednesday's news broke, The Telegraph reported that 86-year-old Ecclestone will be "eased aside" in the new Liberty era.

The newspaper says that Ecclestone wanted to keep his role for up to three more years, "but so far all Liberty's rhetoric has been about making a clean break with the past".

Heikki Kovalainen of Finland and Caterham arrives in the paddock before the final practice session prior to qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 24, 2013
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