APRIL 28, 2003

A question of money...

Bernie Ecclestone and his wife Slavica are not as rich as they used to be according to the latest SUNDAY TIMES list of rich British residents. The list is headed as usual by the Duke of Westminster who is estimated to be worth $7.8bn. He is followed by packaging mogul Hans Rausig, who is listed as having a fortune of $7.6bn, while Ecclestone's fortune is down to $3.8bn although this has meant he has moved up from fifth to third in the rankings.

The highest-paid British racing driver, according to the lists, is Dario Franchitti, who apparently earns more than David Coulthard and Jenson Button. The top British earner for some years has been Eddie Irvine but as he is out of a job he is not on the list this year.