Bernie Ecclestone indicted by German court for alleged bribe

• Lawyers for Formula One impresario accepted indictment
• Ecclestone claimed he has done 'nothing illegal'

Bernie Ecclestone's hold on Formula One, as the sport's chief executive, commercial rights holder and for almost four decades its most dominating personality, could be loosening with the news that he has been indicted by prosecutors in Germany investigating allegations of bribery.

Ecclestone, who will be 83 in October, confirmed the news on Wednesday when he said: "I have just spoken to my lawyers and they have received an indictment. It's being translated into English."

Ecclestone added: "We are defending it properly. It will be an interesting case. It's a pity it's happened."