Ecclestone points to March 2016 deadline for sale of F1

Bernie Ecclestone believes that Formula 1's controlling stake holder CVC Capital will have made a decision to sell its stake in the sport, and to whom, by March 2016.

Ecclestone recently said that several interested parties were currently eyeing a takeover of F1 as CVC considered selling its holdings following a massively successful return-on-investment by the private equity firm since 2006.

"I think they will make up their mind in the next few months," the 85-year-old told Handelsblatt.

"I hope before the start of the 2016 championship in March, we’ll have decided if we sell – or not. There are probably only four people who could buy it. Only they have the amount of money."

F1's supremo gave no hints as to who the potential buyers may be although a consortium formed by Qatar's sovereign wealth fund and RSE Ventues, the owners of the Miami Dolphins NFL team, has been regularly cited as a likely candidate.

Regardless of who may step up to the plate and take over Grand Prix racing, a fundamental question is whether Ecclestone himself would likely remain on board should a sale materialize.

"I don't know if I will stay at the top," he said. "It depends who buys. Let's wait and see."

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