Epstein Emails Show His F1 Ties Ran Deep

Perhaps no sport had a closer connection to Jeffrey Epstein than Formula One. The latest batch of millions of documents from the Department of Justice last month shows that the late sex offender was enmeshed in the highest levels of the motorsport, meeting and doing business with some of its biggest names and key executives.

Front Office Sports has a detailed list of F1 figures who appear in the documents. Not all of the people mentioned corresponded with Epstein directly; some are mentioned in conversations with Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in a scheme to sexually exploit and abuse minors.

Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One Group Founder

Bernie Ecclestone, the founder and CEO of the Formula One Group from 1987 until it was sold to Liberty Media in 2017, is the most prominent name mentioned in the latest set of filings. Epstein sent a two-pound package worth about $50 to Ecclestone—now 95 years old—in July 2001, according to a FedEx receipt in the files.

In February 2011—more than two years after Epstein pleaded guilty to two counts of solicitation of prostitution and of solicitation of prostitution with a minor—Ecclestone was mentioned in an email between Epstein and Peter Mandelson, a British politician whose long friendship with Epstein has shaken up that country’s government. Epstein led a consortium in an attempt to take over Silverstone, the iconic racetrack home to the British Grand Prix. 

Mandelson indicated in an email to Epstein that he was set to meet with Ecclestone about the potential takeover.

Todd Boehly, the CEO of Eldridge Industries and a part-owner of the Lakers, Sparks, Dodgers, and Chelsea FC, was part of the consortium alongside Epstein. At the time of the emails, Boehly was the managing partner of Guggenheim Partners, the investment behemoth that owns the Dodgers. Records also show that Epstein set up two meetings with Boehly in 2011. 

The group ultimately failed to acquire the racetrack, and the British Racing Drivers’ Club continues to own and operate Silverstone. 

Ecclestone has been involved in other controversies, most recently in 2022 when he pleaded guilty to tax fraud. The billionaire agreed to pay more than $803 million (£652.6 million), but he avoided jail time.

Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin Owner

Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll is the most prominent name in the files who still has an active role in F1. The Canadian billionaire is known for investments in fashion brands including Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger. Stroll, 66, bought the now-defunct Formula One team Force India in 2018, transitioning the team to Aston Martin in 2020.

His son, Lance, is an active driver for Aston Martin.

Like Ecclestone, Stroll was also sent a package by Epstein for about $50, according to a FedEx receipt. Stroll’s came in January 2002, seven months after Ecclestone’s package was sent. 

A month later, Stroll’s then-wife Claire-Anne, sent an email in French to Maxwell. Claire-Anne apologized to Maxwell for not visiting “little st jeff,” an apparent nickname for Epstein’s Little St. James private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In 2003, Maxwell sent two emails that indicated Lawrence Stroll was invited to a “big dinner” in New York hosted by Epstein. One of the emails indicated that there were 24 people coming to the dinner, including Mandelson, Stroll, and “5 models who are the serving girls.” 

A spokesperson for Aston Martin told FOS that Stroll did not attend the dinner.

The email was sent to Thomas Pritzker, chairman of Hyatt Hotels, and cousin of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

In 2014, Lawrence Stroll once again appeared in an email from Epstein to his pilot, Larry Visoski, asking whether the Canadian billionaire was the seller of a plane he was considering purchasing. In January 2018, the year before his arrest and death, Epstein indicated in an email to a redacted recipient that he hadn’t seen Stroll “in a very long time.”

Flavio Briatore, Alpine Team Principal

Flavio Briatore is one of F1’s most controversial figures, and his correspondence with Epstein adds to his laundry list of scandals.

Briatore is first mentioned in the files in April 2005, when he was the head of Renault. The Italian motorsport exec appears to have left a message for Epstein saying he will be in New York City in June.

In 2010, a year after Briatore received a lifetime ban from F1 for his involvement in the “Crashgate” cheating scandal, he appeared in multiple emails. 

In April 2010, Epstein wrote that he believed Briatore was putting up real estate for sale. Two months later, Epstein received an email saying that Briatore wanted to meet with him. Later that year, Epstein referred to Briatore as his “itialin frined.”

An Alpine spokesperson told FOS that “this is not a matter for the team” and otherwise declined to comment.

Jean Todt, Former Ferrari CEO and FIA President

From 2009 to 2021, Jean Todt served as the head of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body of F1. Before his FIA tenure, he was the CEO of Ferrari.

His name first appeared in a 2013 email exchange between Epstein and French diplomat Olivier Colom. Colom asked Epstein whether he knew Todt, as he was set to meet with him that night. He also mentioned Todt was married to actress Michelle Yeoh. (Yeoh and Todt have been in a relationship since 2004 but only married in 2023.)

Epstein did not confirm in his reply whether he knew the then-FIA head, instead responding: “sounds like fun, but where are the cute ones?”

Four years later, Todt emailed Epstein, telling him “nice to get =o know you through our common friend Terje.” (Terje Rød-Larsen is a former Norwegian diplomat; some of the recent emails have formatting issues like frequent equal signs appearing.) A few days later, Epstein emailed Italian businessman Eduardo Teodorani saying Todt visited his home, and described him as “odd.”

Eddie Irvine, Former F1 Driver

Eddie Irvine is the lone Formula One driver to appear in the latest set of files with his name mentioned in two emails in September 2003. He was an F1 driver from 1993 to 2002, with his best finish as runner-up in the 1999 drivers’ championship with Ferrari.

Maxwell first mentioned Irvine in an email to Torch Capital founder Jonathan Keidan asking whether he could help Irvine secure tickets to a Dave Matthews concert. Maxwell referred to Irvine as “the F1 former driver.”

A few days later, Maxwell received an email from Coventry Bay Group managing partner David Wassong asking for contacts to “play with in Ireland,” to which Maxwell replied with Irvine’s contact information.