FORMULA One tycoon Bernie Ecclestone revealed his "influence" by calling Fred Goodwin during negotiations about the sale of the business group that owns commercial rights to his motor racing empire, the High Court in London has been told.

Donald Mackenzie, a managing partner of CVC, the private equity firm that controls the sport, said Mr Ecclestone mentioned the then Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) chief executive to him as a possible lender during discussions eight years ago.

Mr Mackenzie told how Mr Ecclestone, the chief executive of the Formula One Group, said he "knew RBS" and called Mr Goodwin, who was the bank's chief executive at the time.

Mr Mackenzie, who is effectively Mr Ecclestone's boss, told judge Mr Justice Newey how the call revealed "Bernie's influence in the world".

Mr Goodwin was stripped of his knighthood in January last year after being criticised over his role in the near collapse of the Edinburgh-based financial institution.

Mr Ecclestone has been accused of making a "corrupt bargain" with a banker in an attempt to stay at the top of Formula One.

A German media company says he entered into a "corrupt agreement" with Gerhard Gribkowsky. Constantin Medien says Mr Ecclestone made the deal eight years ago to facilitate the sale of the Formula One Group to a buyer "chosen" by him. Constantin Medien says it lost out and wants compensation.

Mr Ecclestone says Constantin's claim "lacks any merit" and he denies any "conspiracy".

Philip Marshall, QC, for Constantin, outlined allegations at the start the trial on October 29.

He said Gribkowsky had "assisted" Mr Ecclestone to facilitate the sale of the Formula One Group to a "purchaser chosen by Mr Ecclestone". He said payments totalling about £27 million had been made to Gribkowsky, who had been a "senior ranking official" at a German bank, at the instigation of Mr Ecclestone.

Mr Marshall said the German bank sold its "holding" within the Formula One Group to CVC. He said Constantin had investment rights in the Formula 1 Group and was entitled to proceeds of any sale. He said the bank's investment had been sold "without the normal and proper process" and Constantin had lost out.

Mr Mackenzie was giving evidence about discussions with Mr Ecclestone. He told how the name RBS had cropped up at a meeting.

"I mentioned RBS," said Mr Mackenzie. "He said, 'I know RBS. I'll call the chief executive now' and called Fred Goodwin.

"Goodwin was tracked down by his PA and Bernie said, 'I have got someone in the room who wants to borrow some money from you'."

Mr Mackenzie said Mr Goodwin's interest was "not unhelpful" and added: "It's quite unusual for a chief executive to call a chief executive of a bank. But that reveals Bernie's influence in the world."

Earlier, Mr Mackenzie said he would sack Mr Ecclestone if it emerged the 83-year-old had committed a crime in his dealings with the jailed German banker.

He denied that Mr Ecclestone, who has built Formula One into a global money-spinner over the past four decades, was being kept in his post because of his importance to the business. "If it is proven that Mr Ecclestone has done anything that is criminally wrong, we would fire him," said Mr Mackenzie.

The CVC boss said Mr Ecclestone had apologised for not immediately telling him about a multi-million dollar payment made to Gribkowsky after the German's arrest in January 2011.

Mr Mackenzie recalled a meeting with Mr Ecclestone in February 2011 at which the Formula One head told him of the payment, despite earlier denials.

"He told me he had had a meeting with one of his colleagues who had reminded him he had made payments to Gribkowsky and he apologised for having forgotten this," said Mr Mackenzie.

The case continues.