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I still control F1 - Ecclestone
Bernie Ecclestone says he has a succession plan is in place, but is not yet ready to relinquish his iron grip on Formula One.
In recent weeks ex-Diageo boss Paul Walsh has been put forward by F1's controlling shareholder CVC Capital as a possible new chairman to replace the unwell Peter Brabeck-Letmathe. But Ecclestone is adamant he is still in control.
"I run the company as if it belonged to me," he told reporters in London.
Asked about running the show alongside Walsh, Ecclestone was quoted by the Financial Times as saying: "I don't need to do anything with anybody. Fortunately enough, I'm over the retirement age, got a few dollars in the bank still, so not looking for a job.
"I'm happy here as long as the board are happy with me. When I think I can't deliver any longer, I shall retire."
Speaking about a successor, Ecclestone said he would choose his close aide and F1 lawyer Sacha Woodward-Hill.
"Perhaps if I controlled the board I would probably say it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a woman being the chief executive.
"If I died now, there's enough people in the company that could continue running the company in the way we've set things up."
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