Bernie Ecclestone questioned after shotgun discovered on his private jet in Portugal

Bernie Ecclestone was detained in Portugal on Monday after customs authorities found an undocumented shotgun in his possession at Tires Aerodrome in Cascais. The incident was confirmed by CuriosityNews, which independently verified the matter with authorities.

The 95-year-old former Formula One chief’s private jet had just landed when officials stopped him for questioning. Ecclestone said the firearm was intended for clay pigeon shooting. Under standard procedure, the weapon was seized and he was formally made a defendant in criminal proceedings; the outcome was not yet known.

Responding to reports he had been stopped, Ecclestone told the Press Association: ‘No. The police were very helpful and doing all they could to stop us from having to do what we had to do.’

Explaining the events, Ecclestone said his wife Fabiana had met someone when returning from Brazil to Portugal who was entering a clay pigeon competition. She invited him to join. ‘I have got guns already in Switzerland, which have been imported properly, so I brought the gun in with me,’ he said.

‘I went through customs and they asked: “Anything to declare?” I said: “No, nothing really, just all the usual personal things.” As I walked out, one of my party said the police wanted to see me. They asked about the gun and asked for the “blue book.” I said I did not know what that was. They checked my passport and insisted anyone with such guns should have the book, like a passport. I said I bought the gun in England and took it to Switzerland through normal channels. Police said I had tried to import a gun. I disagreed. A customs officer later said I needed to surrender the gun in Lisbon and could apply for a temporary import, paying duty if I wished. I agreed.’

This was not the first time Ecclestone faced firearm scrutiny while travelling by air. In May 2022, he was arrested in Brazil for illegally possessing a gun. An X-ray of his luggage revealed an undeclared LW Seecamp .32-calibre pistol. He admitted owning it but said he was unaware he was carrying it. He was taken to Viracopos Airport in Campinas, posted bail and was released.

Ecclestone’s wife, Fabiana Flosi, was linked to a property purchase about 15 miles west of Lisbon. The deal was reportedly the largest private sale of a house in Portugal, priced at around £35m.

Ecclestone has been involved in Formula One since the 1950s, starting as a driver and businessman before becoming a team owner and key negotiator of the championship’s television rights. He was the sport’s most influential commercial and political figure for decades, securing partnerships, sponsorships and agreements with circuits worldwide. His official involvement ended in 2017 when Liberty Media acquired the commercial rights. He remains an inescapable figure in the sport, widely credited with transforming F1 into a global mass-market phenomenon.