F1 ownership set to change 'this year' - Ecclestone

© XPB 

Bernie Ecclestone says the ownership of F1 is set to change "this year" as three parties show an interest in purchasing the sport.

CVC Capital Partners is currently Formula One's controlling shareholder, with reports earlier this year claiming CVC was in talks to sell a stake to an investor group led by Qatar and RSE Ventures, the holding company which owns the Miami Dolphins American football team.

While not naming any potential new owners, Ecclestone told the Camp Beckenbauer global summit on Tuesday he expects to see a change in ownership soon.

“Our shareholders at the moment are in such a position where they have to lose some of their shares or all of them shortly, that’s the way things are set up for them," Ecclestone said. "There has been a lot of interest and I would say there’s three at the moment parties that I’m surprised if one of them doesn’t buy very shortly.”

When asked what sort of timeframe he would put on the ownership of F1 changing hands, Ecclestone replied: “This year.”

However, Ecclestone expects to remain involved in the running of the sport, telling AP: "The people that I've spoken to ... have asked me if I would stay."

Lost F1 circuits: Will Russia be another round of F1 roulette?

Red Bull: Burning bridges everywhere

F1i technical expert Nicolas Carpentiers takes us through exclusive pictures of Renault's power unit

Click here for the F1 drivers' girlfriends gallery

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter