Bernie Ecclestone puts brakes on rumours he will be dumped after Formula One’s megabucks American takeover

BERNIE ECCLESTONE says he has been asked to stay on for three years after an American takeover of Formula One.

Liberty Media is closing on a £6.5billion deal which would open F 1 up to the megabucks US market.

Ecclestone, 85, has run F 1 for 40 years and put the brakes on rumours he will be dumped when the new owners take control.

He revealed yesterday: “They want me to be here for three years.”

Ecclestone will miss the Singapore GP on Sunday week to stay in London to help get the deal over the finish line.

He explained: “Because all this is going through, they want me to be there to help.

“I can’t afford to be away for five to six days.”

An F 1 board meeting is set for Tuesday, by which time the takeover may be finalised and a new chairman — expected to be 21st Century Fox executive vice-chairman Chase Carey — introduced.

And Ecclestone indicated he would be happy to work with Carey.

The Brit added: “He can do lots of things that I haven’t done with this social media.

“He’s been dealing with sponsorship with his TV people. Between us we’ll get on with it.”

Eddie Jordan called Ecclestone’s future into question by saying Monza could be his last race.

But Ecclestone rapped: “That’s Eddie Jordan. If he had any money, and wanted a small wager, I’d give him good odds.”