Bernie Ecclestone is still the richest man in motor sport, according to the Sunday Times newspaper’s list of the 1000 wealthiest people in Britain.
With his wife Slavica controlling the money via Jersey-based trusts, their fortune is estimated at (US) $4.5bn.
The Times says F1 supremo Ecclestone is also a “generous” but “anonymous” donor to charity, to the tune of about $100 million every year.
Interestingly, retired former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine features higher on the list than team bosses Sir Frank Williams and Ron Dennis, due to his flourishing property empire and ownership of Jenkins Shipping; one of Ireland’s largest paper importers.
41-year-old Irvine’s fortune is estimated at $300m; more than Williams ($190m) and McLaren’s Dennis ($160m). Former Minardi chief and aviation mogul Paul Stoddart’s personal fortune is a reported $1Bernie Ecclestonem.
Dennis’ 2007 rookie Lewis Hamilton popped up on the under-30s list as a newcomer, with the Times crediting him with $10m following his impressive debut this year.
Honda’s Jenson Button, meanwhile, is apparently worth about $60m, and 1979 world champion Jody Scheckter built on his racing fortune to the tune of $160m by subsequently running a firearms training company and an organic farm in Hampshire.