Former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has admitted he is envious of his replacement Chase Carey, because he has been given the freedom by new owners Liberty Media to run the sport in the best way he sees fit.
Ecclestone meanwhile says he was forced by owners CVC Capital Partners – an investment company – to maximise profits, which meant he had to run the business in a completely different manner.
"I’ve been trying to run the business as a chief executive of the company to make profits for the shareholders," he told the Mail on Sunday newspaper.
"I knew CVC wanted to sell the company – I was doing all I could to make sure the company was set up to make good profits in order that they could sell.
"I’m terribly envious of Chase because he is in the lovely position of being able to do a lot of things I wanted to do and couldn’t."
Meanwhile Ecclestone says he has been completely shut-out of the business, with Liberty Media "wanting rid of the Bernie era".
"I can’t do anything," he added. "Even the staff have been told they shouldn’t talk to me.
"I was a little disappointed because I was asked before they took over, would I stay here for three years if they took over – and I said, provided I was fit and competent, yes, I would.
“So I was a bit surprised the day after they completed the deal that I was asked to stand down because Chase wanted to be chief executive."
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