STOLEN? : F1 chief had yacht CONFISCATED but you will never guess how he got it back… Read more
F1 chief had yacht CONFISCATED but you will never guess how he got it back
By Hugo Harvey
Former Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has revealed a remarkable behind-the-scenes story involving one of the sport’s most controversial figures, Flavio Briatore, shedding light on a yacht confiscated by authorities and the unconventional way it eventually found its way back to its owner.
Now 95 years old, Ecclestone shared the anecdote during an interview with German newspaper Bild last year while reflecting on the concept of true friendship. In the process, he named what he described as the “four real friends” of his life a small and exclusive group forged through decades at the heart of Formula 1.
Alongside Briatore, Ecclestone mentioned Jochen Rindt, Formula 1’s only posthumous world champion, Niki Lauda, the three-time world champion and business partner, and Max Mosley, the former FIA president whose legacy remains divisive. Of the four, Ecclestone noted that Briatore is the only one still alive, a detail that added poignancy to his reflections.
However, it was Briatore’s yacht saga that Ecclestone used to define what loyalty truly means.
A Yacht, A Seizure, And An Unexpected Solution
According to Ecclestone, the incident dates back to 2010, when Italian authorities confiscated Briatore’s luxury yacht. The seizure was reportedly linked to undeclared fuel tax, with the issue arising after the vessel had been refuelled in Greece before entering Italian waters.
Rather than distancing himself from the situation, Ecclestone took a dramatic step. When the yacht was put up for auction by the authorities, he personally purchased it.
“I have an example with Flavio,” Ecclestone explained. “When his yacht was confiscated by the authorities in Italy in 2010 for undeclared fuel tax, I bought it at auction.”
What followed was even more extraordinary. After securing the yacht, Ecclestone sold it straight back to Briatore not for profit, prestige, or publicity, but for the original auction price plus just one dollar.
“I then sold it back to Flavio for the auction price plus one dollar,” he said.
For Ecclestone, the gesture was not about money or clever maneuvering. It was about loyalty.
“That’s friendship to me,” he added.
No Fear Of Consequences
Given the legal sensitivity of the situation, one might expect concerns about potential repercussions from Italian authorities. Ecclestone, however, appeared entirely unfazed.
When asked whether he worried about any fallout from the transaction, his response was characteristically blunt and confident. He simply made it clear that the risk did not matter to him.
The story offers a rare glimpse into the personal code by which Ecclestone operated during his decades as Formula 1’s most powerful figure a man known for sharp deals, ruthless decisions, and unwavering allegiance to those he trusted.
A Bond Forged In Formula 1
Ecclestone and Briatore’s friendship was built during Formula 1’s most politically charged eras. Briatore, a former Benetton and Renault team boss, played a central role in multiple championship campaigns, including those of Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso. His career, much like Ecclestone’s, has been marked by both triumph and controversy.
Yet, as Ecclestone’s story makes clear, the relationship between the two extended far beyond the paddock.
In Ecclestone’s view, true friendship is not measured by convenience or public approval, but by standing by someone when circumstances become uncomfortable or risky.
Still Watching Every Lap
Despite selling Formula 1 to Liberty Media in 2017 and stepping away from official involvement, Ecclestone admitted that his connection to the sport remains as strong as ever.
“I still watch every race, even every practice session,” he said, adding that he continues to wake up at odd hours to follow overseas Grands Prix.
The comment reinforces the idea that, although Ecclestone no longer controls Formula 1, the sport remains deeply woven into his identity.
From shaping modern F1 to buying back a confiscated yacht out of loyalty, Ecclestone’s legacy is filled with stories that blur the line between business, power, and personal bonds and this latest revelation may be one of the most revealing yet.
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