Former Formula 1 Patron Bernie Ecclestone Bought Flavio Briatore’s Yacht

The story involved two of the most famous names in Formula 1.

Bernie Ecclestone, who has been in charge of this sport for decades, seems to have recently bought the Force Blue mega yacht at an auction. It was previously owned by the famous businessman and former Formula 1 team manager Flavio Briatore.

BOOK YOUR NEXT CHARTER ABORD MY FORCE BLUE

The Background

The story originated in May 2010 when the Italian finance police seized the yacht, which Briatore had owned since 2002, while it was in the waters of La Spezia. In addition to the crew onboard were the showgirl Elisabetta Gregoraci, today the entrepreneur’s ex-wife, and her son Nathan Falco.

The investigators’ accusations were apparent right away. The entrepreneur was accused of simulating a commercial activity of chartering his luxurious boat from 2006 to 2010. This would have allowed him to use the Force Blue, formally owned by Autumn Sailing Limited, for recreational use in Italian territorial waters, avoiding him from paying the import VAT due, approximately 3.5 million euros.

Furthermore, again, according to the prosecution, the yacht’s fuel was indicated as exempt from excise duties while it had to be burdened by ordinary taxes.

The first instance trial against Flavio Briatore ended in 2015, with a suspended sentence of 1 year and 11 months in prison for tax crimes related to the charter of the Force Blue yacht.

After various judicial vicissitudes, Briatore was convicted and partially acquitted by misdemeanor prescription. The current situation sees a new trial that has reached the last level of judgment.

Why the Auction of the Yacht?

The yacht Force Blue was auctioned on January 27, 2021, at one-third of its market value, a fate to which the judges of the court of Genoa condemned it. The Flavio Briatore luxurious floating villa was seized in 2010 for the alleged evasion of 3.6 million VAT on imports.

The yacht was awarded to the highest bidder on an auction basis of 7 million euros, less than half of the 20 million estimated value at the time of the seizure. The evaluation weighted the severe degradation conditions in which the Force Blue finds itself after a decade of forced inactivity, occasionally interrupted for rental in the summer.

This last solution was necessary to contain management costs. However, it did not avoid the accumulation of debts by the State, which, therefore, opted to sell the yacht at the preventive auction without waiting for the end of the Briatore process.

The latter had tried to block the sale through his lawyers by presenting four instances, which were in vain.

What Kind of Yacht are we Talking About?

Force Blue is a 70.56 m (231′ 6″) superyacht, built and launched in 2002 by Royal Denship, a Danish construction house that is no longer in business.

The yacht accommodates 12 guests in 6 cabins (5 double and 1 twin convertible), and it’s equipped with a cinema room, aft platform, elevator/lift, massage room, and wheelchair accessibility.

Two 2000 horsepower engines propel it, reaching a top speed of 16 knots. The cruising one stops at 14.

Comfort is ensured by an onboard crew of 21. 

Force Blue is based in the South of France and is flexible enough to reposition itself in the Mediterranean.

Summer 2025 Charter Rates:
€ 390,000 weekly high (July, August and events, Christmas and New Year) + VAT + APA
€ 360,000 weekly low (all other months) + VAT + APA
MYBA terms

Ecclestone’s Entry into the Scene

The British tycoon obtained the boat by offering € 490,000 more than the seven million auction base.

To contend for the boat through an offer was in 4.

In addition to the 90-year-old Bernard Ecclestone, the other competitors were all companies: Lethora Holdings Ltd, based in the Virgin Islands; Sulfur Ltd, based in the Bahamas; and Locamar Sa, based in Luxembourg.

All offers in a sealed envelope were delivered to the notary Ugo Bechini, who opened each on the morning of January 27th at the Hotel Bristol, a central Genoese hotel.

Future Developments

Is it all finally over? Not! As we said earlier, the process that sees the ownership of Force Blue as a dispute has not been concluded.

Paradoxically, with a reversal of the sentence, Flavio Briatore could still return to being his legitimate owner, canceling the auction with which Ecclestone won the yacht.

We have to wait until the next 9 of June to know the final sentence.

Contact YBH Charter Brokers:

You can contact us by email at ask@yourboatholiday.com or at +39 33436 00997; we are also available on WhatsApp for calls and texts.

Get Your Personalized Yacht Charter Quote

Share your preferences, and our team will tailor the perfect itinerary, yacht options, and services to meet your needs.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

1Yacht

2Destination

3Contact

Yacht Type *

• Motor Yacht
• Catamaran
• Sailing Yacht
• Classic / Gulet / Motor Sailer

Yacht LenghtSelect the dimensionUnder 20 meters20 – 30 meters30 – 40 meters40 – 50 meters50+ meters70+ meters

Cabins – GuestsNumber of Guest – Cabin Layout3 Cabins – Up to 6 Guests4 Cabins – Up to 8 Guests5 Cabins – Up to 10/12 Guests6 Cabins – Up to 12 Guests6+ Cabins – 12+ Guests

Yacht Yacht Date

Maximum Budget (All inclusive)Select the maximum budget including taxes and expenses10.000 – 20.000 €20.000 – 50.000 €50.000 – 100.000 €+ 100.000 €+ 200.000 €+ 500.000 €

Next

Charter Destination/s – Itineraries – Other Requests *

Charter DurationSelect the number of days or weeks7 Days Charter14 Days Charter21 Days CharterWeek-end CharterDaily Charter

Date from

Date to

PreviousNext

Full Name *

Email *

Phone

Previous

Yacht Charter Search

View More Yachts Over 50 Meters