Former Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone was held for questioning by Portuguese authorities on Monday after customs officials discovered an undocumented shotgun during a routine inspection of his private aircraft at Tires Aerodrome in Cascais, near Lisbon. The 95-year-old was detained shortly after his jet landed, and the firearm was seized as part of standard procedure in such cases. According to reports from the incident, Ecclestone was released hours after being detained, though he has not been charged and no hearing date has been confirmed.
Ecclestone explained that he had brought the shotgun from Switzerland to participate in a clay-pigeon shooting competition in Portugal, an event he learned about only days before his arrival. His wife, Fabiana Flosi, had met someone returning from Brazil who mentioned the competition, and she encouraged him to take part. Because Ecclestone already owned firearms in Switzerland that had been imported through proper channels for recreational shooting, he decided to transport the gun with him to Portugal.
When passing through customs, Ecclestone stated that he declared nothing beyond routine personal items. However, police subsequently approached him to inquire about the firearm. During questioning, authorities informed him that the gun lacked essential documentation known as a "blue book"—a passport-like certificate required for firearms in Portugal under the country's legal framework governing weapons transportation.
"I didn't even unzip the case. I said, 'Well, it is a shotgun and this is the reason'. And they asked where is the blue book for the gun? And I said, 'I don't know, I have never heard about a blue book in my life."
Ecclestone recounted that he had purchased the shotgun in England and transported it to Switzerland through standard channels, but he possessed no documentation for the weapon's entry into Portugal. When police pressed him on the missing paperwork, he maintained that he had not attempted to import the gun illegally but had simply passed through customs as required. The situation escalated when customs officials instructed him to surrender the firearm in Lisbon and explained the process for obtaining temporary import permission, which would involve paying duty on the weapon.
"There were about four police guys and they said, 'What you have done is try to import a gun into the country'. I said, 'I have not tried to do that. I have come through customs, and here I am with you."
Ecclestone later described the encounter as "wall-to-wall aggravation" in subsequent accounts of the stop. His wife, Fabiana Flosi, subsequently travelled to Lisbon to assist in resolving the matter. According to coverage of the incident, Portuguese airport police have not yet issued public statements, and the case continues through the standard legal process for firearms violations in Portugal.
A Pattern of Firearm Incidents While Travelling
This detention marks the second occasion in four years that Ecclestone has faced official scrutiny over an undocumented firearm while preparing to travel by private aircraft. In May 2022, Brazilian authorities arrested him at Viracopos Airport in Campinas after an X-ray scan of his luggage revealed an undeclared LW Seecamp .32-calibre pistol. Ecclestone acknowledged owning the firearm but claimed he was unaware he was carrying it. He posted bail and was released to continue his journey to Switzerland.
Ecclestone's Decades-Long Influence on Formula One
Ecclestone has maintained a presence in motorsport since the 1950s, initially as a racing driver and businessman before transitioning to team ownership and becoming a pivotal negotiator of the championship's television rights. For decades, he served as Formula One's most influential commercial and political figure, orchestrating partnerships, sponsorships, and agreements with racing circuits worldwide that transformed the sport into a global phenomenon. His official role with Formula One ended in 2017 when Liberty Media acquired the commercial rights to the championship, though he remains a widely recognised figure in the sport's history and continues to be credited with reshaping F1 into a mass-market enterprise.
Property Interests in Portugal
Ecclestone's wife, Fabiana Flosi, has been linked to significant property investments in Portugal. The couple reportedly completed one of the largest private residential sales in the country, acquiring a property approximately 15 miles west of Lisbon for a reported price of around £35 million.
What Happens Next
No confirmed court hearing date or scheduled legal decision has been announced in connection with the incident. The matter is expected to proceed through Portugal's standard legal framework for firearms violations, governed by Law No. 5/2006, which establishes the country's regulations for weapons transportation and importation.
