Ecclestone describes ‘complete misery’ after Portugal arrest over hunting rifle – Former Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has described his arrest in Portugal as “complete misery” after police reportedly found a hunting rifle in his luggage at Tires Airport near Cascais. The 95-year-old was detained on Monday after travelling from Switzerland with the firearm, which he says was intended for clay pigeon shooting.
Ecclestone, who owns property in the Cascais region, explained the incident to the Daily Mail, claiming he had already cleared customs when a police officer asked to search his bag. He said officers then requested a “blue booklet”, which he understood to be the required documentation for the weapon.
“I had a rifle that I brought from Switzerland to Portugal for clay pigeon shooting,” Ecclestone said.
“I have licensed weapons at home there. We had cleared customs upon arrival, and they had no problems with anything.”
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Ecclestone says missing paperwork led to arrest
According to Ecclestone, the situation changed when an officer subsequently asked to inspect his luggage.
“Then a police officer asked to search my bag,” he continued. “They asked if I had a ‘blue booklet,’ which is apparently the required documentation.”
Ecclestone said he did not have the paperwork with him because he does not normally travel with such documents.
“I told them that I never travel with such documents, actually no documents at all,” he said. “They said they would arrest me.”
The former F1 boss said the process then appeared to drag on for several hours before the immediate situation was resolved.
“But it has been misery from start to finish,” Ecclestone concluded.
The incident has not prevented Ecclestone from expecting the matter to be resolved. His wife, Fabiana, has travelled to Lisbon to deal with the authorities and determine what needs to happen next.
“She has gone to Lisbon to hand in the gun, or pay the taxes, or whatever is necessary,” Ecclestone said.
“I said I would go too, but that hasn’t happened. I am sitting at home waiting for the situation to be resolved.”
Former F1 chief has previous firearm incident
The Portugal incident is not Ecclestone’s first encounter with authorities over a firearm.
In May 2022, Brazilian police arrested him after an LW Seecamp .32 pistol was discovered in his luggage while he was preparing to board his private aircraft for Switzerland.
Ecclestone said at the time that he had purchased the weapon from a Formula 1 mechanic. The pistol, however, had not been registered in his name.
Brazilian authorities subsequently said Ecclestone claimed he had been unaware that the firearm was inside his luggage. The weapon was reportedly unloaded and did not have a magazine.
Ecclestone was released after paying bail.
Portugal arrest adds to Ecclestone’s legal troubles
The latest incident therefore represents another confrontation with authorities involving a firearm, although the circumstances are different from the 2022 case in Brazil.
Ecclestone has spent much of his life travelling internationally, particularly since stepping down from his leading role in Formula 1. He continues to divide his time between Switzerland, Portugal and Brazil.
At 95, the former F1 chief remains an influential and outspoken figure within the sport despite no longer having an official role in Formula 1.
For now, Ecclestone says he is waiting at home while his wife attempts to resolve the issue in Lisbon. Whether the matter results in further legal proceedings or is settled through the necessary documentation, taxes or surrender of the firearm remains to be seen.
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