Potential new owners of F1 want Bernie Ecclestone to stay

Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed being asked to stay as Formula 1 chief executive by the three parties interested in acquiring a controlling stake

Ecclestone revealed this week F1 could be in different hands by the end of the year.

But the 84-year-old has stated his 5.3 per cent stake is not up for grabs, insisting in the Sochi paddock ahead of this weekend's Russian Grand Prix "I'm not selling".

Despite suggestions F1's sale could hasten his exit, he said: "The three people who are interested in buying have asked me to sign a contract to stay with them."

With F1 facing issues over a potential EU investigation, and with Red Bull and Toro Rosso seemingly on the brink of leaving as they are struggling to acquire a new engine deal, Ecclestone does not feel such problems are off-putting.

"I suppose anyone who follows Formula 1 will know we've been here a million times," said Ecclestone.

"There are three people interested in buying. They've been talking a little bit and now they are lot more interested and if the shareholders want to sell, they'll sell."

TELEVISION FEED UNLIKELY TO CHANGE

Ecclestone, meanwhile, sees no reason why Formula One Management's television feed should alter for this weekend despite criticisms that followed coverage of the race in Japan.

Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda declared his unhappiness at how little his team featured on screen during a race dominated by Lewis Hamilton, with the focus instead primarily on the midfield battle.

In defence, Ecclestone said: "People say there is no overtaking, but from what we showed there was a hell of a lot of overtaking.

"Actually, if you look at the figures nearly all of the teams got the same amount of coverage."

Asked if he would keep the policy going, Ecclestone replied: "I think we should.

"We had the same with Michael [Schumacher] and sort of cut back.

"People don't want to see one car on the track. If there's some racing going on at the front it's good."