Formula One chief, Bernie Ecclestone, has been formally indicted by German prosecutors investigating allegations of bribery.

The charges relate to allegations of bribery against Ecclestone and in the wake of the German banker, Gerhard Gribkowsky – who Ecclestone is accused of bribing, being sentenced to 8 and a half years in prison after being convicted of breach of trust, tax evasion and bribery for the £28 million received from Ecclestone during the sale of Formula One in 2005.

Ecclestone confirmed receiving the indictment on Wednesday, telling the Financial Times, “I have just spoken to my lawyers and they have received an indictment. It’s being translated into English.”

Ecclestone has always maintained his innocence and said that they will be defending the indictment. “We are defending it properly,” he said. “It will be an interesting case. It’s a pity it’s happened.”

He has admitted making the payments to Gribkowsky but has always maintained that he had been threatened with blackmail. Ecclestone previously told the Munich state court that he felt pressured into the payment in 2006 because he was worried that Gribkowsky would report him to British tax authorities.

Ecclestone also confirmed that the prosecutors are “alleging I bribed someone” but continues to say he did “nothing illegal”.

In December last year, Ecclestone told the Sunday Telegraph that if he was charged, he would likely be removed from his position. “It [the CVC] will probably be forced to get rid of me if the Germans come after me. It’s pretty obvious, if I’m locked up.”