Verdict might be expected in Ecclestone case

Bernie Ecclestone supporting Felipe Massa

The F1 world's attention will shift from pre-season testing to a London courtroom on Thursday.

A morning judgement is expected in the high-profile Bernie Ecclestone corruption affair, with Constantin Medien seeking a guilty verdict and $140 million in damages from the sport's embattled chief executive.

Thursday's news could also ramp up speculation the 83-year-old Briton's long reign over formula one is over, with Justin King - who has resigned after ten years in charge of British supermarket chain Sainsbury's - among the rumoured frontrunners to replace him.

But Ecclestone told F1 business journalist Christian Sylt this week there is "no truth at all" to the King rumours.

"All he knows about (motor sport) is looking for support for his kids," Ecclestone, referring to King's racing driver son Jordan who is controversially backed by a range of Sainsbury's-linked names, told the Guardian.

52-year-old King has also been linked with the unfilled new role as McLaren's F1 chief executive, but a spokesman for the British team said that rumour is "untrue".

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