Bernie Ecclestone: Pilot of Forumla One boss arrested over kidnap of mother-in-law

Aparecida Schunck, 67, was rescued from kidnappers on Saturday

Aparecida Schunck, mother-in-law of Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, leaves a police station in Sao Paulo, Brazil (Reuters)

A pilot working for Bernie Ecclestone has been arrested on suspicion of involvement of the kidnapping of his mother-in-law.

Aparecida Schunck, 67, the mother of Ecclestone's wife Fabiana Flosi, 38, was taken from her home in Sao Paulo, in Brazil, over a week ago. Kidnappers demanded a ransom of $36.5million (£28m), believed to be the largest sum demanded in Brazilian history.

The 67-year-old was rescued from a flat on the outskirts of the city on Saturday without any money being paid to those holding her. She was reportedly freed after investigators monitored calls between the kidnappers and members of her family.

Helicopter pilot Jorge Eurico da Silva Faria was one of three men arrested in connection with the kidnapping. A spokesman for Sao Paulo police said da Silva Faria was arrested with two other men, Vitor Oliveira Amorim and David Vicente Azevedo.

“The investigation continues and the police did not rule out the involvement of other suspects,” he added.

Mr Ecclestone, 85, said he was “very happy” with the police operation to rescue his mother.

“The last few days haven't been very good. This isn't a good thing to happen to you and your family,” he told the Mail Online.

“The police officers we dealt with were fantastic, they did an unbelievable job, it was absolutely first class. We are very, very, very happy with them.”

Additional reporting by the Press Association