Still awaiting a verdict following his trial in London, Bernie Ecclestone will now face trial in Germany.

Having previously said that he was "certain" he would face trial in Germany for paying an alleged bribe to former banker Gerhard Gribkowsky, this morning Ecclestone's worst fears were realised when officials in Munich announced the trial will go ahead.

"Under current planning, the main trial should start in late April," the court said in a statement.

"The decision to go to trial is normal and in no way is it a finding in the issue at hand," said Sven Thomas and Norbert Scharf - Ecclestone's lawyers in Germany - in a statement. "This is something that is up to the trial itself.

"The alleged bribery never took place," they added. "The accusations that are based on Gribkowsky's testimony are incorrect and based on the facts offer no coherent picture."

The verdict in the Constantin trial is due imminently and when German publication Handelsblatt asked Ecclestone if he will step down if he loses, he replied "why should I step down? There is absolutely no need. Constantin Medien is suing for damages. If they win they get money."

The result of the German trial however, may leave him with little choice in the matter.

Chris Balfe