Chapter 225 Responsibility is very important

As for why Barron still cooperated with Bernie Ecclestone when he knew clearly that he was scheming, instead of directly buying the shares of SLEC held by those three banks?

There are naturally reasons for this. First of all, CVC Investment Company, which was cooperating with Bernie, was not the only one who later contacted three banks, including Bayerische Bank, hoping to buy their shares in SLEC, and the bids from others were not low. In the end, Only CVC Investment Company succeeded. Why?

In 2013, Bernie Ecclestone was indicted by a German court on charges that he paid $44 million in bribes to Gribkovsky, a banker who handled F1 equity transactions, between 2004 and 2005, to assist CVC with extremely high prices. Bavarian Bank suffered huge losses by buying the shares at a low price.

Gribkovsky was in charge of the sale of SLEC shares by the Bayerische Bank.

Bernie did this because only CVC among several interested buyers promised to let Bernie retain control of the F1 management company.

However, in the end, the court ruled that the bribery charge was not found guilty, and Bernie paid 100 million US dollars to settle the case. The outside world accused the court of being settled by Bernie with money. Bernie said with disdain: "This idiot thing is finally over."

Therefore, in order to continue to maintain the management rights of F1, Bernie dares to use any method.

By working with him, Barron was able to buy SLEC shares from the Bayerische Bank at a lower price like CVC Investment Company, and Bernie did all the dirty work, so why not do it.

And Barron himself has no intention of actually running the commercial operations of the F1 race himself. He just needs to maintain his influence on the event.

Because in the final analysis, the development of F1 is still inseparable from Bernie Ecclestone.

Because the normal operation of F1 cannot be separated from the cooperation of the 12 F1 teams and the support of the FIA, and Bernie is the best mediator among them.

If you still want F1 to continue to develop steadily, there is really no more suitable successor than Bernie in the F1 world and the entire racing circle.

And after all, with Bernie's current age, it is impossible for him to control F1 for too long. When the time comes, let him leave himself a better event. How perfect.

"I have many choices, how do you want to convince me?"

Facing this young man who was half a century younger than himself, Bernie asked bluntly when the two were talking privately.

Knowing that this cunning old man was still bluffing, Barron naturally did not panic at all:

"You know, Mr. Ecclestone, I not only own a media group in England, but I also hold shares in the Sinclair Group, which is one of the top television broadcasting groups in the United States. Therefore, working with me will have a great impact on the promotion of F1. It’s a huge benefit, and…”

He looked at Bernie and said calmly:

"You said you have many choices, but I am afraid that I am the only one who can guarantee that after buying SLEC, you will still lead the commercial operations of F1."

It is now obvious that Bernie has not reached a cooperation with CVC Investment Company, otherwise there would be nothing to do with Barron, so he is confident in saying so.

"How do you guarantee that?"

"After the acquisition is completed, you will still be the president of this company, and we will not interfere with the company's operations as long as it does not harm our interests. These can be written into the agreement."

After hearing Barron's words, Bernie Ecclestone was silent for a moment and asked expressionlessly:

"What I'm also concerned about is, can you come up with so much money now? I know that you have made several sky-high acquisitions, but they were all leveraged buyouts, which also put you on a lot of debt. You know, SLEC is A billion pound company…”

"On this point, Mr. Ecclestone, you can rest assured that since I took the initiative to come to you today, it will not be without purpose. However, in terms of the acquisition price, as the future head of F1, you also need Show your worth..."

Barron knew that in his previous life, CVC spent more than 700 million pounds to complete the acquisition of 100% of SLEC's shares. Even with some "other" expenses, it did not reach 800 million pounds.

By selling 25% of his SLEC shares this time, Bernie Ecclestone also received an income of 200 million pounds...

It will not be difficult for Barron to come up with these funds after the final acquisition is confirmed next year.

What he cares about is whether he can win the SLEC company with the help of Bernie Ecclestone like in his previous life.

You must know that when the American Liberty Media Group acquired this company in 2017, it spent a full US$8 billion!

Between the entry and exit, there are huge benefits.

"Then, happy cooperation."

The face smiled and extended his hand to Bernie Ecclestone, who also smiled and shook hands.

With these tacit understandings in place, Barron's conversations with Bernie Ecclestone became casual.

Of course, this inevitably brings up the topic of Bernie’s daughter, Tamarane.

With the old man's keenness, how could he not see that his daughter had a good impression of the young and handsome Duke in front of him...

This can no longer be called a good impression. Bernie even has no doubt that based on his daughter's performance, it is possible to accidentally create a grandson for him.

If his daughter could marry Barron, Bernie Ecclestone would certainly not object to their relationship.

Not only do they not oppose it, they also encourage it to happen.

But the key is that everyone in Britain knows that Barron has a girlfriend...

So during the chat, Bernie Ecclestone couldn’t help but say:

"I understand that when you are young, you will enjoy yourself as much as you can, but when you reach a certain age, you will understand that responsibility is the most important..."

He looked at Barron and said meaningfully:

"Tamaran is still young, and I hope she can gradually understand this truth."

Well, after hearing the old man telling him these great truths, Barron just felt a little... weird.

However, although the old man has been eating young grass, he will still be old-hearted when he is ninety years old...

But it’s true that it’s just that the wives are younger than the other. Outside of marriage, there really aren’t many problems...

"I understand, Mr. Ecclestone, Tamaran and I are just friends. I have always respected her very much..."

As for what will happen to her, this is what bothers Barron. She is too good and attractive. What should I do if Tamaran takes the initiative?

"Have you finished talking about things? Dad, I still want to talk to Barron..."

It was said that Cao Cao and Cao Cao had arrived. Maybe it was because the two of them didn't seem to be talking about business, or they were simply impatient to wait. Tamaran walked up to them and said coquettishly to the old man.

"Okay, then I'll go talk to other people and you guys can talk."

Before leaving, Bernie Ecclestone did not forget to give Barron a special look, probably to remind him.

"My father didn't tell you...say anything about me."

After Bernie Ecclestone left, Tamaran looked at Barron with her big eyes and asked carefully.

"No, Mr. Ecclestone was complimenting you, but most of the time, we were talking about business matters."

"F1 racing? All he could think about was that, and I didn't even think it was that interesting."