Grapevine: Ecclestone drops down rich list ranking

Ecclestone's value was estimated at £1,466 million by the list, making him the 17th biggest faller of the year despite being ranked 24th overall. The majority of this loss was put down to his recent divorce from Slavica Ecclestone, who has entered the list in her own right in 58th place with an estimated worth of £734 million.

Renault team boss Flavio Briatore was ranked 492nd with an estimated £110 million, with former McLaren team principal Ron Dennis in 648th place after suffering a cut in value of £23 million to £87 million.

Prospective F1 team owners are also well-represented, with Lola owner Martin Birrane's wealth put at £109 million and Prodrive's David Richards worth an estimated £58 million.

Tom Wheatcroft, who this week launched legal proceedings against Donington Park leaseholders Donington Park Ventures Ltd over unpaid rent, is valued at £100million, down £25 million on last year.

Although none of the current F1 drivers appear in the list, four-time grand prix winner Eddie Irvine is placed 694th with £80 million and David Coulthard appears in the ranking of Scotland's richest 100, with an estimated worth of £45 million.

This places him just ahead of three-time world champion Jackie Stewart (£41 million). Fellow former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan appears in the list of the richest in Ireland at £40 million.

Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton both appear in the list of the richest under-30s. Button is placed at £40 million, level with England football international Michael Owen, with Lewis Hamilton set at £25 million.

Others with a motor-racing involvement to make the The Sunday Times list of 1000 richest include New Zealand A1GP seat holder Colin Giltrap (£72 million), sportscar racer and British government minister Lord Paul Drayson (£80 million) and IndyCar Series racer Dan Wheldon (£8 million).