Bernie Ecclestone is renowned for using his annual personalised Christmas card design to poke fun at the year that’s past, and 2009 is no exception.

This year’s card depicts Max Mosley, BMW’s Mario Theissen and Toyota’s John Howett setting sail away in a yacht, while the remaining team bosses wave happily from the harbour.

Meanwhile disgraced ex-Renault team boss Flavio Briatore aboard a pirate boat – takes aim at the yacht with a rocket-launcher, whilst several sharks circle around expectantly.

In the distance Bernie sits at a lifeguard’s station looking on, presumably waiting to save the day… again!

Mosley and Briatore have been trading public insults over the past few weeks whilst Flavio awaits his verdict from the French appeal courts, due on January 5th. Mosley gave Briatore a lifetime ban for his part in the Singapore Grand Prix race-fixing scandal, before Mosley stepped down from his role as FIA President, handing the reigns to ex-Ferrari CEO Jean Todt.

Bernie's 2009 Christmas card