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Ecclestone: 'New F1 owners want to 'get rid of Bernie's history'

The man who ruled over Grand Prix racing for over four decades says that he is being erased from the sport's history by its new owners.

In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, Bernie Ecclestone says that Chase Carey, F1's new CEO, has cast him aside, eager to close a chapter of the sport's history and Move on.

"I can't do anything," Ecclestone told the Mail on Sunday.

"Even the staff have been told they shouldn't talk to me. They want to get rid of the Bernie era: 'Let's get rid of Bernie's history'.

"They always say the same thing, they probably think it makes me happy but it doesn't: 'He has done a super job but we have to move on', and they may be right."

The 86-year-old also reiterated the fact that he was surprised that Liberty Media did not keep him on, at least for another year.

"Was I annoyed when Liberty asked me to step down? No - the way I look at it, if somebody buys a car, they want to drive it," he said.

"I was a little disappointed because I was asked before they took over, would I stay here for three years if they took over and I said, provided I was fit and competent, yes, I would

"I was a bit surprised the day after they completed the deal that I was asked to stand down because Chase wanted to be chief executive.

"Chase did that face to face."

"I'm terribly envious of Chase because he is in the lovely position of being able to do a lot of things I wanted to do and couldn't."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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