Ex-F1 Boss Bernie Ecclestone Detained In Portugal Over Shotgun

Former Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone was detained at an airport near Lisbon on Monday after Portuguese authorities found a shotgun in his possession without the required permit. The 95-year-old motorsport billionaire was later released after the matter was resolved.

Ecclestone arrived at Tires Airport, near the Portuguese capital, where officers from the Portuguese Public Security Police airport division discovered the firearm. According to Ecclestone, authorities asked him to produce a document known as a “blue book”, which is reportedly required for transporting the weapon.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Ecclestone said he had brought the shotgun from Switzerland for pigeon shooting but did not carry the necessary documentation.

He said he was told he would be arrested, but the situation was eventually sorted out after what he described as several hours of “wall-to-wall aggravation”.

The incident is not the first time Ecclestone has faced trouble over a firearm at an airport. In May 2022, he was detained at Viracopos Airport in Brazil after police discovered a .32-calibre pistol in his possession. He was fined in that case and subsequently allowed to leave the country.

Ecclestone remains one of the most influential figures in Formula 1 history. He was at the helm of the championship from 1987 to 2017, having earlier established his commercial influence over the sport by securing and selling its television rights.

Over several decades, he helped transform F1 into a global commercial and television property. He stepped down from his leadership role after the sport came under new ownership but has continued to attend races.

Ecclestone divides his time between homes in Switzerland and Portugal, where he remains a prominent figure in the motorsport world.