Aug.3 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has played down his friend Flavio Briatore's involvement in the Gerhard Gribkowsky bribery affair.

A German newspaper this week said banned former Renault boss Briatore was involved in the F1 chief executive's payment of millions to the jailed German banker.

Ecclestone told the British newspaper Daily Express: "In no shape or form is Briatore involved in this.

"He did make a payment for me but only because I asked him after this man Gribkowsky threatened to make trouble for me and said he did not want the money paid direct from the UK.

"Briatore did me a favour and, far from being dragged into this, I told the German prosecutor about it. That is how his name has appeared," said the 80-year-old.

Ecclestone scoffed at claims the scandal could bring him down as F1 chief and even see him jailed.

"The end? Of course not," said the Briton.

"I will be doing what I do best for a while yet -- making good deals to keep a lot of people happy and well off in F1. Some might not want me to continue but I enjoy what I do. That is what I'll be judged on."

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version