Ecclestone arrested in Brazil for illegally carrying gun

Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone was arrested in Brazil on Wednesday for carrying an undocumented firearm.

Ecclestone landed himself in hot water with the local authorities at Viracopos airport in Campina ahead of boarding a private flight to Switzerland.

A routine X-ray screening revealed in the 91-year-old's luggage a LW Seecamp .32 gun for which the Briton was unable to produce a legal permit.

Ecclestone was subsequently arrested and taken to a facility at the airport where he was interrogated.

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According to a police report, he acknowledged owning the gun, which did not contain any bullets, but said that he was unaware that the firearm was present in his luggage.

Ecclestone was eventually released on bail, after which he traveled to Switzerland as scheduled.

Ecclestone, who owns a farm in Brazil, was in the country accompanying his wife Fabiana, an FIA-vice president for sport and a member of the World Motor Sport Council.

The couple recently attended a round of the TCR South America series in Interlagos.

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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.