Bernie Ecclestone, the 95-year-old former Formula 1 chief executive, has been arrested in Portugal on suspicion of illegally carrying a firearm. The incident occurred at the Tires Aerodrome in Cascais, near Lisbon, as the business magnate arrived via private jet.
According to reports, police officers stationed at the airfield discovered a shotgun among the belongings of the former F1 boss during what has been described as a routine security operation. While the aviation sector often has stringent protocols regarding the transport of weapons, the presence of the firearm led to immediate intervention by authorities.
As of this afternoon, Portugal’s Airport Division of the Public Security Police (PSP) has not issued an official statement regarding the specifics of the detainment. Crucially, Ecclestone has not been formally charged with any offense at this stage.
This development marks the second time in four years that the billionaire has faced legal scrutiny over the possession of a firearm while traveling. In 2022, Ecclestone was detained in Brazil at the Campinas airport as he prepared to board a private flight to Switzerland. During that incident, authorities found an LW Seecamp .32 pistol in his luggage.
Following his 2022 arrest, Ecclestone admitted that the weapon was in his possession but insisted he had been completely unaware it was in his bag. He explained at the time that he had purchased the firearm from an F1 mechanic in Brazil without ammunition, intending to keep it as a potential deterrent against muggings. He famously downplayed the ordeal as a “silly, tiny little incident,” and was eventually released after paying bail, which allowed him to continue his journey to Europe.
Ecclestone, a prominent figure in the world of motorsport for decades, maintains a global footprint, splitting his time between residences in Switzerland, Portugal, and Brazil. Known for his often colorful and candid remarks, his previous brush with the law in Brazil did little to dampen his public profile, with the businessman framing the acquisition of the gun as a precautionary measure for his personal safety.
Legal experts note that while the possession of a firearm in luggage without proper authorization or declaration is a serious matter in most jurisdictions—particularly in the context of international aviation—the outcome will depend on Portuguese law and whether investigators believe the presence of the shotgun was a genuine oversight.
Representatives for the former F1 boss have yet to comment on the latest incident, and it remains unclear if he is currently being held in custody or has been released pending further investigation. The PSP has confirmed that inquiries are ongoing.
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