Max Mosley has won his case after a French court ruled the News of the World violated privacy laws by publishing pictures of him with in a sadomasochistic orgy with prostitutes.
The front-page article, published in the now-defunct tabloid in March 2008, claimed Mosley had had a Nazi-themed orgy. The story, detailed with pictures and video footage stills, was accompanied by the headline "F1 boss has sick Nazi orgy with 5 hookers".
After the former motorsport chief challenged the claims in the UK High Court and received £60,000, he took his case to France, where the paper was also distributed. On Tuesday, the court in Paris ruled NotW had breached Mosley's right to a private life by reporting on his sex life.
But the court concluded there was no defamation and neither did it penalise the author of the story - reporter Neville Thurlbeck. Mosley, son of fascist leader Oswald Mosley, had originally sought 100,000 euros from both NotW and Thurlbeck.
The ex-Formula One boss was awarded 7,000 euros in damages with an additional 15,000 euros for court fees and the tabloid's owner NewsCorp was fined 10,000 euros (£8,600).
The Paris ruling comes six months after Mosley lost his bid at the European Court of Human Rights to force newspapers to warn people before running a story which would expose their private lives. The judge ruled this would have a "chilling effect" on the freedom of speech.
Although he was awarded damages, Mosley argued money alone could not restore his reputation.
Speaking on Reuters TV, Mosley's lawyer Philippe Ouakrat said: ""What we have here is kind of a spill-out breach on the French territory.
"It was very important for Mr Mosley to obtain this sort of decision."
Mosley was able to lodge a case against NotW under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act which states "Everyone has the right to a private life".