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Bernard Charles Ecclestone is said to be a man who not only has his cake and eats it, but simultaneously indulges on a platter or two of choice shortbread.

Thus, when it became clear his strategy of maximising the money on offer from Asian cities and countries keen to host grands prix as substitutes for the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cups they would never qualify, was resulting in dwindling TV audiences ratings for early morning races (in Euro time zones), it was clear that corrective action would be taken. Three options were open to the 79-year-old:

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