Supermarket boss could ’maybe’ run F1 - Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone has failed to deny rumours Justin King, the 51-year-old British boss of supermarket chain Sainsbury’s, is being lined up to replace him.

F1’s 82-year-old chief executive Ecclestone is embroiled in the Gribkowsky corruption affair, which could see him convicted by German authorities or stepped down by the sport’s owners CVC.

According to business journalist Christian Sylt, one name regularly linked with Ecclestone’s job is Justin King.

Ecclestone told the Guardian: "I’ve no idea whether the boss of a company like Sainsbury’s could do my job. Maybe he could."

King’s son is Jordan King, who this year will race in European Formula 3, reportedly with the backing of five brands with business ties to Sainsbury’s.