Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone (picture) told a High Court judge yesterday that he did not make threats.

Ecclestone, chief executive of the Formula One Group, was giving evidence at a High Court trial in London after being accused of making a ‘‘corrupt bargain’’ to stay at the top of F1 racing.

He has been accused of entering into a ‘‘corrupt agreement’’ with a banker eight years ago to facilitate the sale of the Formula One group to a buyer chosen by him.

A German media company says it lost out as a result of the deal and has taken legal action against Ecclestone.

But Ecclestone says Constantin Medien’s claim ‘‘lacks any merit’’ and he denies any conspiracy.

“I am not a person that threatens,” Ecclestone told Mr Justice Newey. “If I was going to do something, I would do. I wouldn’t threaten.”

Ecclestone, who was giving evidence for a third day, has told the court that he paid Gerhard Grib-kowsky – a senior official at a German bank – £10m.

He said he made the payment because he was ‘‘being shaken down’’ by Dr Gribkowsky, who had insinuated that he would create difficulties with tax authorities.

Ecclestone added: “He was desperately trying to do business with me. He wanted to leave the bank.”

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

He said the banker assisted Ecclestone to facilitate the sale of the Formula One Group to a ‘‘purchaser chosen by Ecclestone’’.

Marshall suggested that ‘‘corrupt payments’’ resulted in a sale of the bank’s investment in a group of companies which owned lucrative commercial rights associated with Formula One.

He said Ecclestone benefited financially and the deal allowed him to retain a position with F1.

Marshall said Constantin had investment rights in the Formula One Group and lost out.

Lawyers representing Ecclestone have outlined their case to the judge in written arguments and say the claim ‘‘lacks any merit’’ and ‘‘is an artificial, manufactured complaint’’.