Apr.18 (GMM) Munich prosecutors are preparing to delve deeper into formula one's top management as the $50 million bribery affair is investigated.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone travelled to Munich earlier this month to be questioned and he skipped the Chinese grand prix at the weekend, amid suspicions he was involved in paying the kickback to a jailed German banker.

The affair surrounds the sale of the commercial rights some years ago to CVC, so the latest information is that CVC managing partner Donald Mackenzie is next in line to be interviewed.

The Sky News City report said F1 lawyer and board member Stephen Mullens will also be interviewed, although editor Mark Kleinman pointed out that neither "are suspected or accused of any wrongdoing".

Kleinman also wrote that Ecclestone, 80, is "likely" to be interviewed by the lead German prosecutor for a second time in the coming weeks.

Ecclestone, Mackenzie and Mullens could not be reached for comment, and CVC declined to comment.

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