Jul.18 (GMM) The News Corporation scandal might have damaged the Murdochs' plans to take over formula one.

That is the claim of F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, who said he feels "sorry" for Rupert Murdoch amid the fallout of the phone hacking scandal and closure of the News of the World.

Earlier, FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh insisted he thinks News will survive the scandal to be "alive and powerful" again.

"I'm terribly sorry for Rupert, who I know quite well, and James (Murdoch) because they are running their businesses very well," Ecclestone told the Telegraph.

"If they were to bid for F1 they might find that people would object to it. We have still had no contact from News Corp about a takeover of F1."

The 80-year-old also ruled out a move for F1 to Murdoch's pay-TV networks and said he hoped the sport stayed with the BBC in Britain.

"Let's wait and see about the BBC because at the moment they want to make a noise," said Ecclestone.

"I can't see how the BBC could cancel (its contract). We could probably sue them."

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