According to British media sources, Bernie Ecclestone did not celebrate the crowning of F1's new world champion on his return from Brazil to London.

Instead, the F1 chief executive and billionaire slammed his British Airways flight "a nightmare", despite his decision to head straight from the Interlagos to the Sao Paulo airport on Sunday night.

He was joined on the flight by other leading F1 figures, including Renault boss Flavio Briatore, but a fellow passenger told The Independent newspaper that the plane sat on the tarmac for seven hours before taking off.

"As a result, the crew ran out of permitted flying time for their shift, which meant we then had to set down in Madrid to pick up a new crew," the passenger explained.

"We were due to get into Heathrow at about midday on Monday. As it was, we didn't touch down in London until 9.20pm."

World champion Lewis Hamilton's McLaren boss Ron Dennis enjoyed a smoother return to the UK, on board a private jet.

Source: GMM