Bernie Ecclestone has become a father for the fourth time aged 89.
The Formula One boss’ wife Fabiana Flosi has given birth to a little boy named Ace, after the couple confirmed they were expecting a baby in April.
Bernie has confirmed the news to Swiss German news organisation Blick, saying: ‘We have a son named Ace. I am so proud.
Revealing that she enjoyed an easy labour, Fabiana added: ‘It was all so easy. The birth was over after 25 minutes. I thank god.’
The new addition, who has been born not long before Mr Ecclestone’s 90th birthday in October, is his fourth child after his three daughters.
His eldest, Deborah, 65, was born to his first wife Ivy Bamford before he welcomed socialites Tamara, 35, and Petra, 31, with his second wife Slavica Radic.
‘Yes, it is due in the summer,’ Mr Ecclestone told Blick. ‘Hopefully he’ll learn to play backgammon soon!’
The former Formula 1 boss married marketing director Ms Flosi in 2012 – three years after he divorced Croatian model Ms Radic.
The expectant parents met through the World Motor Sport Council, where she regularly attended meetings.
They knew each other professionally for a few years before a mutual friend invited Ms Flosi on a cruise around Croatia with Mr Ecclestone and others in 2009.
‘Like all parents, we have only one wish: the child must be born healthy,’ she said. ‘Hopefully he will never express the intention to do something with Formula 1.’
Mr Eccleston added: ‘After my Formula 1 time, we’ve had plenty of time to practice!’
He went on to speak about the current coronavirus pandemic, and said he ‘just wants everything to be good with Fabiana’ should the isolation go on longer.
‘Fortunately, the farm never runs out of work,’ he added. ‘Fabiana also looks after her own coffee plantation.’
Mr Ecclestone – dubbed ‘F1 Supremo’ – is a former chief executive of the Formula 1 Group, which manages Formula 1 and part-owns Delta Topco.
He entered two Grand Prix races as a driver himself in 1958, but ultimately failed to qualify for either of them.
The former F1 boss later became the manager of drivers Stuart Lewis-Evans and Jochen Rindt before he purchased the Brabham team in 1972, which he went on to lead for 15 years.
