Ecclestone set to lose £1bn

UPDATE What part of the word 'divorce' does the diminutive Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone not understand? On Wednesday, his Croatian-born (former) wife Slavica was granted a decree nisi at the London High Court, so terminating their 24-year marriage, but Bernie appears to be in a serious state of denial about the matter, and suggests today he may be able to rekindle their relationship and perhaps even persuade her to re-marry him.

Bernie is delusional to think he will get his £1bn and Slavica back

"I last spoke to her 10 days ago and it's true we're not really talking," Ecclestone, 78, told the Daily Mail. "But who knows? Maybe after she has thought about it, we can get back together.

"In fact, I see no reason at all why we shouldn't even get married again. Other divorced people have – why can't we?" He added: "Everyone who knows Slavica knows there is a crazy side to her, but it's the reason I love her. I thought I would be with her until my 90s, which was when my father died."

Earth to Bernie – get over it, say goodbye to £1bn. That is a lot of money to lose and is the only reason why Bernie would want her back. If you know Bernie you know what money means to him – everything. Prediction – she isn't coming back, and she's laughing all the way to the bank.

03/12/09 On Wednesday Bernie Ecclestone and his wife were granted a quickie divorce in the High Court in London on the grounds that 24-year marriage had "irretrievably" broken down. The divorce payout, though, is what has really caught the attention with the Daily Star claiming that Ecclestone is 'understood to be ready to settle for £1bn.'

That would make the 78-year-old's payout to his ex-wife the biggest in world history.

Neither Ecclestone nor Slavica were present at Wednesday's hearing as the decree nisi was granted. It will be followed by a decree absolute in six weeks.