Chapter 285
Chapter 285 Mount Smith at all costs
Standing in front of Bernie Ecclestone is very small.
Abel knows why the real F1 driver seems so confident right now.
The reason is very simple.
Because Ecclestone took advantage of the final years when the Kirsch group was overwhelmed.
This little old man has done many laps in F1. Like Bernie Ecclestone, through the founding of F1 Holdings (FOH). And divided into F1 Management Company (FOA) and F1 Management Company (FOM).
Thanks to various decentralization, let your employees become directors and managers.
In case the Kirsch group is about to die.
Bernie Ecclestone's activities mean that SLEC, the company previously responsible for promoting and running F1 events, exists in name only. Such a change in position also caused the Kirsch Group, which owns 75% of SLEC, to lose influence in F1 events.
This allows Bernie to firmly control F1 even though he only owns 25% of the shares.
To date, the Ecclestone family business, Bambino Trust Company, owns only 25% of SELC's shares.
But the two members of the FOH board of directors were both appointed by him two years ago.
One of them is his Swiss lawyer, Luke Argonne. The other is Emmanuel, Argonne's wife.
Faced with Abel and others aggressively trying to gain power, Bernie Ecclestone looked at Abel.
Until the director's position is abolished, F1 will still belong to Bernie Ecclestone.
Currently, Bernie must compete with Abel for his own personal gain.
It's just that Bernie saw the calm eyes of the latter, after combining his identity, one of the founders of F1 felt a little embarrassed. Bernie turned his gaze toward Allen and shouted to the core of the advisory group:
"You have nothing and no power. You are just a shareholder of SLEC, and SLEC has no power. I am the CEO of FOM and FOA. These two companies decide the affairs of F1. If you look at things From this perspective, F1 belongs to F1." with me."
With saliva spraying all over his face, Alan Baker remained calm: "Are you sure?" Do you dare repeat what you said, sir? »
"Why not me ?!" Bernie Ecclestone is as angry as an angry rooster.
"But you want me to say it again, why? I didn't!"
"Alright." Allen nodded, took the final step, then gently said: "Mr. Owen, I leave the rest to you."
"Okay, no problem. Then that's my job." Behind Allen, stands out a middle-aged man wearing glasses and a gentle appearance.
"Mr. Bernie Ecclestone, right?"
A middle-aged white man with a very gentle appearance and very good temperament, was smiling at Bernie Eccles. Bernie's familiar "smell" on this man made Bernie hesitate and be speechless.
"Yes. Are you a lawyer? I need to call my lawyer!"
Bernie Ecclestone is on the way.
The gentle middle-aged white man smiled and nodded:
"Of course. Nothing. But before that, Mr. Ecclestone, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Timmy Owen and I'm a senior associate at Clifford Chance."
Hearing Owen's name, Bernie Ecclestone still did not react.
Hearing the name of the law firm Clifford Chance, Bernie knew today could be a difficult day.
Clifford Chance is one of the five largest law firms in London. This is a law firm headquartered in London, England. It was founded in 1802 and has 35 offices in 25 countries around the world.
The main activities of this law firm focus on the fields of commerce and finance, debt and equity investment, capital markets, business mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance projects, funds and public companies. financial instruments, etc.
And today's question seems very professional.
Bernie knows that talking to these people is the easiest way to get caught. He emphasized: "I have to notify my own lawyer!
"I said so. It's okay, Mr. Ecclestone. Please inform your lawyer as soon as possible. Is it Mr. Luke Argon? It would be better if he came, and he and his wife are involved." mandarin. "
Timmy Owen smiled:
"But I advise you to hurry up. Look at Mr. Cavendish here, Paddington District Attorney, and he works for the Crown Prosecution Service."
"Good morning." Prosecutor Cavendish said bluntly: "Mr Ecclestone. You are involved in a total of 38 breaches of the UK Trade Act, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the UK Companies Act. On behalf of the Defense District Attorney Paddington, I'm sending you a complaint." special announcement.
How could Bernie Ecclestone, headquartered in Paddington, not know Prosecutor Cavendish. Normally, the relationship between the two is even very good, they sometimes drink coffee together.
Currently Cavendish has this expression, Bernie is both angry and scared.
The little old man finally looked away from Allen, Timmy Owen and Cavendish towards Abel.
"Mr. Abel Smith."
Bernie wanted to cringe. But at this moment, the little old man knew he could not offend the teenager in front of him. The senior management of the F1 parent company is in fact controlled by Bernie Ecclestone.
But for a long time, the shares of the parent company F1 are still in the hands of SELC.
No matter how Bernie runs on this issue, it won't change.
When SELC was still in the hands of the Kirsch group. Because the large companies of the Kirsch Group do not care about this aspect and it is difficult to fight it. There are essentially no demands on the F1 parent company, which allows Bernie Ecclestone the greatest freedom.
Today, SELC's largest shareholder has become someone else.
Bernie knew that no matter how determined he was to not give in, in the end it would bring no results.
If the matter really had to go to court, I would let it go.
Thinking of this, Bernie Ecclestone sighed. "For what"
Bernie Ecclestone's initial grief and anger gradually subsided.
Potatoes can never touch a kitchen knife. Every Englishman understands this truth.
Bernie Ecclestone understands too.
"Mr. Smith, I admit F1 is yours. But Mr. Smith, I don't think you would buy an F1 car just for fun, right?"
The hard is clearly untouchable, and Bernie Ecclestone wisely chose the soft:
"Also, Mr. Smith, you still own two teams. If you directly ran F1, these teams and the car manufacturers, even the FIA. They would certainly question that."
Bernie Ecclestone said very sincerely:
"Just leave it to me. Mr. Smith, I created F1. I believe no one can run F1 better than me. I can make you a lot of money, Mr. Smith.
Just now the little old man changed his fighting posture like a small rooster, looking very sad.
Bernie Ecclestone, who has taken on a softer look, believes he has retained the style of the past.
At that time, to establish F1, Bernie also requested such a team, then went to these auto giants.
In the end, that made it all happen.
It's just that this scene appeared again, appearing on him and Abel. Bernie suddenly felt reborn.
With Bernie's resignation and abandonment.
Everyone's eyes also fell on Abel, the person in the middle had not said much.
Abel seems to have achieved his goal.
Also, Bernie Ecclestone, this guy, was right. Abel has already bought two teams, currently he is directly buying F1 to operate.
This could really cause discontent among the team's other owners.
Even if someone else is the general manager, it won't work.
Because besides Bernie, the creator, there are many people in F1 who can convince the public.
In fact, Abel never thought about expelling Bernie. At least when Bernie is gentle, at least when Bernie can control himself.
Abel allows Bernie to continue running F1.
"I have some conditions." Abel finally spoke, his voice clear and bright as the CEO of the F1 joint stock company.
"First, the salary of the general director of the F1 joint stock company is too high. 80 million euros, my God, there are few people on Wall Street who can receive such a high annual salary."
"The huge wage costs will put too much pressure on F1 operations."
Abel looked at Bernie Ecclestone. "I think 10 million euros would be a more reasonable figure. Mr. Ecclestone, what do you think?"
What does Bernie Ecclestone think I think? I thought you were Falk's SHIT!
But Bernie also knows that if he still wants to stay in F1, he has to agree if he doesn't want to.
An additional annual salary of 10 million euros is indeed a lot.
Bernie forced a smile, "I think that makes sense, sir."
As soon as these words were spoken, Bernie felt like his heart was about to break. His salary of 70 million euros per year accounts for less than half of his annual income.
Much of it is pure profit
"Second condition." Looking at Bernie Ecclestone, it makes sense.
Abel also got straight to the point.
"Abolish the two director positions of Luke Argon and Emmanuel, and re-elect the board of directors. Director positions are selected based on the number of shares."
Even if he can accept a salary reduction of 70 million yuan per year, it is even more impossible for Bernie Ecclestone to reject this measure. "Of course." Bernie Ecclestone said:
"Fair and legal, gentlemen?"
Listen to the smile on Bernie Ecclestone's face and the look on his face right now.
Many people around thought to themselves: "You weren't like that just now. Just now you were very arrogant and wanted to go to court. ]
I actually had to go to court and it happened like this.
Bernie Ecclestone's performance today really showed everyone present the versatile side of the little old man.
"Alright." Abel nodded with satisfaction and was very happy with Bernie's understanding: "Then congratulations. Mr Ecclestone, you will remain CEO of the F1 parent company. The management of F1 remains in your hands."
Bernie Ecclestone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
You could say that Bernie has spent most of his life in F1.
Most of Bernie's assets come from F1, his identity and status are completely dependent on F1's influence.
Losing control of F1 means the death of Bernie in wealthy London. Even though this 70-year-old man earns less than 70 million euros per year, he does not want to lose the title of F1 king.
The resignation of Bernie Ecclestone and the decline of Abel.
This also made the employees of the parent company F1 who were looking around feel relieved.
Since then, Abel has secretly controlled the ownership of F1.
In the commercial sports sector, the racing car is perfectly lit and still looks brilliant. After all, these are Formula 1 races, the only sporting event in the world that can rival the Olympics and FIFA World Cup in terms of viewership.
is also the pride of racing fans.
At the same time, it is also extremely profitable and is always the most profitable sports game.
Otherwise, how can these auto giants still obey F1's control? It's just that F1 can give them a lot of money every year. Abel was still at Paddington in the morning, in charge of F1.
In the afternoon, he went to Villa No. 1 on Garden Street, Kensington Palace.
Kensington Palace Garden Street is a famous "billionaire's street".
Usually, the difficulty when buying a house on this street is not just a matter of money.
If there is no internet here, you may not even know when the villa here will be auctioned. The status of residents of this neighborhood is often rich or noble.
Parallel to time and space, later the old Vuong Hoa Ha also bought a villa here, but it was relatively isolated.
The reason this street is so popular is because this is where the famous Kensington Palace is located.
This is the Queen's private palace and the main royal residence in the London metropolitan area.
To some extent, this palace is the royal family's calling card. This is also one of the places where the royal family receives important political figures from different countries.
Additionally, Kensington Street is one of the safest streets in London.
Here, on both sides of the road, employees of Scotland Yard, with live ammunition, that is, the Royal Police, are always on duty.
It is very close to the royal family and the environment is very good, safe and secure.
It would be surprising if real estate prices here were not expensive. In Villa No. 1 Garden Street, Kensington Palace.
Walking around the villa is very beautiful, as can be seen, it seems like there are decorations of historical value everywhere.
Little Laura, who had only been alive for a few days, couldn't help but sigh and look at Abel next to her:
"Houses in London seem to have historical value."
Abel next to him somewhat disagreed.
When he bought this house, the investment factor accounted for more than half.
He doesn't remember other aspects but only remembers Lao Wang, the richest man in China in the future, who bought a house here. This area seems to be only one-tenth the size, a pitifully small garden.
It appears that £80m has been spent.
That was after 2015.
Abel remembered this after learning that the house was only worth £80 million at the time.
He decided to buy it. The other 80 million pounds is just the list price.
After negotiations, Abel actually only spent about 58 million pounds.
He thought that when the time came, he would find another opportunity to sell it to local tyrants in China.
Like the whole of Kensington Palace Garden Street, this is the closest to Kensington Palace and also one of the largest villas.
Then it will sell for 400 to 500 million pounds, not expensive, right? Local Chinese dynastic tyrants and Hong Kong island corporations have a different feel to London.
Aren't you trying to join forces and destroy the most luxurious mansion in England?
It's about you, Agua.
I buy this house, you can stay close to the queen and become direct neighbors.
Not excited? "I don't like these old houses." Abel said to little Laura: "I still like our flower Laura the most."
"It can be designed from the ground up, from start to finish, according to our wishes. I think such a house is more suitable for our life.
When mentioning Laura's flowers, little Laura couldn't help but laugh.
That is his dream, the love nest for two people. This is where she and her lover raise their children together.
Thinking of Laura's flower, little Laura couldn't help but say:
"But why do you insist on filling in the area around the hill? I've seen the design, it's too exaggerated!"
Little Laura spoke from the center of Laura's flower-filled villa.
This hill was named Mount Smith by Abel.
At Abel's request, the future evil of the design world provided his setting.
This plan involves supporting the area around the hill to form a flat roof.
According to this design option, it is expected to use 180,000 tons of steel bars, about 1 million tons of cement and at least 750,000 cubic meters of concrete. There are also many different astronomical construction materials.
The total amount of these materials is more exaggerated than the construction of some skyscrapers in New York.
According to the designer, 10 Woolworth buildings could be built without considering glass.
With so many materials, construction costs are huge.
I spent a lot of money and materials to fill such a hill. Little Laura did not understand.
And Abel doesn't need Little Old Man to understand.
Because according to Abel's vision, the heart of Laura's Flower is Mount Smith.
In the future when completed, it will be a apocalyptic super fortress that can directly resist Muhai's attacks and biochemical attacks, and can maintain internal resistance for more than three years. It can produce its own food and fresh water and survive on its own!
Simply put, luxury homes will be built on Mount Smith. But underneath the mansion, 70% is man-made and 30% is in naturally created mountains.
It will be dug into an inner space, used to store food, fresh water, weapons, medicine, energy, personnel and even seeds, books, materials, etc., a monstrous fortress Noah's Ark style.
It is like the secret room inside the Smith mansion, where the ancestors of the Smith family left for generations, storing a large amount of weapons, ammunition, food and even gold.
In case something unbearable happens to this world in the future.
The Smith family also has shelter available in case of crisis. After all, Abel felt like he was only 21 years old.
Wait until 2022 when I travel back in time, I will be 42 years old.
According to the initial world situation, the situation at that time was already very tense.
Further development, the Three War or Muhai War is not impossible
Abel didn't want a place to hide when something like this happened when he was in his 40s and 50s and his fortune was among the largest in the world.
Since he had to prepare, of course he did it in the best way possible. And here is the Flower of Laura, this very exaggerated fake Mount Smith appearance.
I don't know if it's because the Smith family has the doomsday fear gene in their blood or not.
It was Abel's thoughts that traveled again and he planned the design and construction of this Mount Smith.
Taking advantage of this time of wanting to build a large mansion, they directly started construction under the name Fleur de Laura.
Little Laura, who doesn't know Abel's thoughts, naturally won't understand. .
(end of this chapter)