Bernie Ecclestone questioned by police in Portugal over firearm documentation

Former Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone was questioned by Portuguese police after arriving at Tires Aerodrome near Cascais with a shotgun. The 95-year-old businessman had traveled from Switzerland via private jet with his wife, Fabiana Ecclestone, intending to use the firearm for a clay pigeon shooting competition.

Authorities took possession of the weapon because Ecclestone lacked the required documentation to bring the firearm into Portugal. Ecclestone denied reports of being arrested, describing the encounter as “unnecessary aggravation” and stating that officials treated him professionally. His wife eventually traveled to Lisbon with a customs official to hand the shotgun over to the authorities.

This incident follows a 2022 event in Brazil where Ecclestone was briefly detained after an unregistered handgun was found in his luggage while preparing to board a private flight.