APRIL 12, 2004

Ecclestone makes record deal

Bernie Ecclestone has been involved in a very big business deal recently. Although this is not referring to the deal for the Turkish Grand Prix or even speculation that Libya is interested in hosting a Formula One race. This involves his personal interests.

Ecclestone has apparently exchanged contracts earlier this month with an Indian-born tycoon to sell his house for 128 million dollars. According to the Sunday Times, the sale of the house will be recognized as the most expensive private home sold in history. The previous record was for a 115 million dollar home in 1997 sold in Hong Kong.

The house was purchased by Ecclestone three years ago for his wife. It is located in Kensington Palace Gardens in Britain, also known as "billionaires' row". It boasts 12 bedrooms and garage space for 20 cars. It is right near Kensington Palace and the London home of the Sultan of Brunei. The buyer, is Lakshmi Mattal, the world's second largest steel producer. He is the richest Asian and among the richest in Britain.