27/06/2007
NEWS STORY
Bernie, The first officially endorsed biography of F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is due to hit the bookshelves in the Autumn.
Acclaimed author and personal friend, Susan Watkins, wife of former F1 medical delegate Professor Sid Watkins, has had Ecclestone's full support and cooperation from the outset and has spoken with his family, friends, colleagues and adversaries to create what is described as a "full and revealing biography".
"It must be the truth, I have nothing to hide," said Ecclestone, when Watkins began the book, though it is understood the Englishman has admitted that the real story will only be told once he's passed on to that great race track in the sky.
Ecclestone's journey to power is one of the most extraordinary stories of recent times. It is a study of how a man who would never take no for an answer and had a fascination with money and fast cars, became one of the world's richest and most controversial businessmen.
Bernie tells how, as a child, Ecclestone got up at five in the morning to deliver newspapers on two separate routes, then collected cakes to re-sell at a profit in the school playground. He would later apply the same principle to second-hand motorbikes and cars before channelling all his skills, passion and energy into motor racing - transforming an amateur sport into a glamorous, spectacular global billion-dollar industry. Now he entertains kings and keeps prime ministers waiting.
Watkins is a writer and historical biographer, and has known Bernie for over twenty years, her previous biographies have featured Mary Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I and Jane Austen.