Formula 1 motor racing could be about to get new owners after US private equity firm CVC was understood to have agreed a price for the sale of its controlling stake in the $8.5billion (£6billion) business.

Bernie Ecclestone, who runs the sport and owns a slice of Formula 1’s owner Delta Topco alongside CVC, told The Mail on Sunday that two bidders had agreed a price with CVC for its 35 per cent stake in the business. CVC’s stake comes with conditions which allow it to outvote other shareholders.

‘There are two people who want to buy,’ said Ecclestone. ‘Actually, two of the people have agreed the price. It’s just a question of whether CVC wants to sell or not.’

'Two people want to buy': Bernie Ecclestone owns a slice of Formula 1’s owner Delta Topco alongside CVC

Interested parties are thought to include China Media Capital and RSE Ventures – the US group, headed by US billionaire Stephen Ross, which owns the Miami Dolphins football team.

Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund has also been mentioned previously as a potential buyer, possibly jointly with RSE Ventures.

CVC bought its stake in 2006 for $2billion, partly with a $965million loan from Royal Bank of Scotland. Over the past decade it has halved its stake to 35 per cent, but it has gained $4.4billion through share sales and profits from the business.