Bernie Ecclestone’s future as Formula One CEO could be shortlived as a potential successor has been touted, according to F1i.com.
On Wednesday, Liberty Media got the final green light to complete their takeover of the sport, following unanimous agreement from the FIA at a World Motor Sport Council meeting.
That means the American company can now go full speed ahead in an effort to close the $8.5bn deal, that was agreed to last September, in the first quarter of 2017.
Now that Liberty Media has all the necessary approval, they are moving fast to implement the changes they want to introduce and that includes replacing the 86-year-old who has run the sport for four decades.
In a major shift away from the ‘supremo’ philosophy Ecclestone has used throughout his time at the top, chairman Chase Carey is looking to employ an executive to take care of marketing, sponsorship and media rights, the first time such a position has been opened in F1.
That man could be Sean Bratches, according to the report, who was influential in the rise of ESPN but left his position at the US sports network last year.
It would mark a significant breaking up of the current model and would be in line with previous speculation linking Ross Brawn to a leading role focussing on the sporting aspect on F1.
Following this latest indication, it would leave room for that rumour to become a reality.
