F1 chief Ecclestone’s mother-in-law kidnapped

Sao Paulo, July 26 (IANS) The mother-in-law of Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has been kidnapped, with the abductors reportedly demanding a ransom of $36.5 million.

Aparecida Schunck, mother of Ecclestone’s wife Fabiana Flosi, was abducted on Friday night here, reported BBC on Tuesday.

Ecclestone is worth an estimated $3.1 billion and is considered to be one of the most powerful men in the sport.

He tied the knot with Flosi in 2012 after meeting her in the Brazilian Grand Prix. The couple now live in the United Kingdom.

Reportedly, the kidnappers want the ransom to be paid in pounds sterling and divided into four bags of cash.

Kidnapping was a major concern in Brazil a decade ago, with the city seeing an abduction every 27 hours in 2002 but that reduced after police formed a special anti-kidnap division and cracked down.

The country, due to host the Olympic Games in less than 10 days, is experiencing its worst economic crisis for decades.

Ecclestone, 85, has so far been tight-lipped on the reports.