Bernie Ecclestone’s Airport Adventure: Clay Pigeon Shooting and Customs

Former F1 Boss Denies Arrest

Bernie Ecclestone, the former Formula 1 supremo, has found himself in the spotlight again, this time for an airport incident involving a shotgun.

The 95-year-old was stopped by police and customs officials at Tires Aerodrome in Cascais, Portugal, on Monday. He was questioned about a shotgun he intended to use in a clay pigeon shooting competition.

A Familiar Face at the Airport

Ecclestone, who was removed from his F1 role in 2017 after Liberty Media’s takeover, claimed he anticipated no issues with bringing the weapon. He told the Press Association, “I went to see the police and said, ‘What can I do for you?’ And they said, ‘We would like some information on this gun you brought in.'”

The British businessman seemed surprised by the incident, stating that the airport officials know him “very well.” However, this wasn’t his first encounter with airport authorities over firearms.

Previous Gun-Related Incident

In 2022, Ecclestone made headlines when he was arrested in Brazil for illegally carrying a gun while boarding a private plane to Switzerland. He was ordered to pay a fine of 6,000 Brazilian reals (£1,000) to the local authorities.

Despite these incidents, Ecclestone maintains his love for the sport of clay pigeon shooting, a pastime he has enjoyed for years.

This latest episode adds an unexpected twist to Ecclestone’s post-F1 life, which has been filled with various adventures and endeavors.