Ecclestone uncertain of Liberty Media closing F1 deal

Bernie Ecclestone says he cannot guarantee that Liberty Media will succeed in closing its deal to purchase Formula 1 in the coming months.

The American media company which committed to buying a controlling stake in Formula 1 from CVC Capital is scheduled to complete the deal early next year.

It recently initiated its involvement by acquiring  a 10 percent interest in the business and is currently seeking a funding mechanism to complete its buy-out process.

While he could not ensure that Liberty would fulfill its obligations on a deal valued at approximately $4.4 billion, Ecclestone said he would be surprised if it didn't happen.

"I’ve never counted their money,"  Ecclestone told Motorsport.com.

"I don’t know their company, so I have no idea. They paid what they had to pay, they bought 10% of the company and they paid.

"I’d be surprised if it didn’t happen, but if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. CVC will still own their shares, less what they sold. Liberty will have 10%.

"They’ll have the same amount of shares, actually a bit less, that my family have."

Ecclestone insisted he didn't care who the shareholders of Formula 1 are, and should the situation with Liberty Media result in a status quo, so be it.

"I don’t mind who the shareholders are. I never had any trouble with CVC, they’ve been shareholders for 10 years. We’ve never had any disputes or any problems. They’ve been very, very good.

"Donald [Mackenzie] bought the company for the reason that people like him buy companies, so he could sell it at a profit, which he’s managed to do.

"And he’s an enthusiast, he loves his F1, and he trusts the way he’s been running things. Everything works well."

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