Opinion | Too early to write Ecclestone's obituary
He might be 83 and facing trial for bribery in Germany, but we shouldn't rush to pen the Formula One mastermind's epitaph
It was not exactly an illustrious career. In 1958, an English driver of marginal skill made his debut on the Formula One circuit. He was diminutive even by the waifish standards of race-car drivers and the only things less impressive than his physical stature were his results.
In two races, the Monaco and the British Grand Prix, his official line was a "did not qualify" and "did not start." And so ended the F1 driving career of Bernie Ecclestone. He would, however, manage to carve out a significant role in the sport.
Over the past 40 years, Ecclestone has stridden colossus-like over F1 and transformed it into a multibillion-dollar industry by controlling virtually every facet of it.
For better or worse, and there is no shortage of worse, Ecclestone is an inspirational figure
His personal wealth is reputed to be over US$4 billion and he seemingly has many more detractors than supporters who have long been put off by his unapologetically dictatorial methods.
But at 83 years of age, he is just as outlandish and outrageous in his comments and behaviour as he ever was and while there are many tsars who have commanded their lucrative sport, there is only one Bernie. Nobody has done it as long and as well as him.
Last week's announcement that German prosecutors will formally charge Ecclestone for allegedly making a US$45 million bribe to a banker who has already been convicted on a bribe-related offence, may have finally derailed the reign of the F1 supremo.
Despite fighting three other bribery charges, Bernie claims he is innocent and will spend as much money as it takes to prove it. If convicted he could face up to five years in prison, but there is virtually no one who believes that he will do any time behind bars. While justice can be fickle, particularly in high-profile cases like this one, some sort of agreement and fine will probably be reached.
Ecclestone has resigned from the board of F1 until the end of the trial, but claims still to be running the group's day-to-day affairs. While Ecclestone defiantly claims he is in control, he will no longer have the power to sign cheques.