Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone was punched and kicked to the ground by robbers as they stole jewellery from him and his girlfriend.
The 80-year-old billionaire was attacked outside the headquarters of his business empire Formula One Holdings in Knightsbridge, central London, on Wednesday night as Fabiana Flosi looked on in horror.
He had to be taken to hospital with a head injury after the ambush, during which £200,000 worth of jewellery is believed to have been stolen.
Four robbers had been lying in wait as Ecclestone and his 31-year-old Brazilian girlfriend arrived at the central London building where he has a eighth-floor penthouse overlooking Hyde Park.
Miss Flosi, a lawyer, sports marketing agent and model, could only look on in terror as her elderly boyfriend was beaten by the thieves.
She and Ecclestone were both ordered to remove jewellery, including a watch and diamond rings.
The gang managed to flee before police arrived.
Mr Ecclestone was taken to hospital where he was treated for a minor injury to the head. In a mark of defiance the tycoon was back at work just hours after the incident. Daily Mail
Police are investigating but no arrests had been made.
Earlier this month, Ecclestone complained there were not enough police officers on the streets of London.
“Normally like in America or anywhere you go, there are people getting mugged,” Ecclestone said. “In London, it’s a funny thing, you know. It’s surprising in Oxford Street the number of people that get mugged there hourly.
“We should have more police there.”
Ecclestone made the comments in response to an attempted attack on Formula One driver Jenson Button in Sao Paolo ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, suggesting that robbers go after people who look vulnerable.
“They look for victims, they look for anyone that looks like a soft touch and not too bright,” Ecclestone said. “The people that look a bit soft and simple, they will always have a go at.” The Associated Press
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