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Ecclestone reveals bids for Renault
Source: Agencies |
December 9, 2009, Wednesday
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RENAULT is considering several rival bids for its Formula One team, according to the sport's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
The Briton told Monday's Times newspaper that former BAR and Benetton team boss David Richards, whose Prodrive company has been linked to a takeover of the former champion, was one of several interested parties.
"Richards is up against more than somebody," said Ecclestone. "There is the Gerard Lopez group, there is David Richards and then there are another two people."
Lopez is the founder of technology investment company Mangrove Capital Partners and chairman of Luxembourg-based fund Genii capital.
The businessman has also invested in Gravity Sport Management, whose athletes include China's Tung Ho-pin. Tung, the first Chinese to drive a Formula One car, recently tested with Renault in Spain.
Renault, which has not commented on the recent speculation, said last month that it would decide its Formula One future by the end of the year.
The company board is expected to meet in Paris this week with media reports speculating that it is considering selling a controlling stake to outside investors in a partnership deal that would see the team continue to race with its engines.
The team was handed a suspended permanent ban in September for its involvement in a race-fixing controversy which resulted in ex-principal Flavio Briatore being barred for life. Ecclestone hoped a deal would be done soon.
"I don't think there is any big rush to get something done, but the sooner the better for everybody," he said. "I hope it can be done within the next 10 days and before everybody breaks up for Christmas."
Renault has signed Poland's Robert Kubica as one of its drivers for 2010 but has yet to confirm his teammate. Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who won two titles with the French carmaker, has joined Ferrari.
Meanwhile, Britain's Dean Smith secured a Formula One test with McLaren and a 50,000 pound (US$82,920) prize after winning the McLaren Autosport BRDC (British Racing Drivers' Club) award on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Formula Renault UK champion follows previous winners Jenson Button and now-retired David Coulthard. Button, who won the 2009 title for Brawn, scooped Autosport's international racing driver of the year and British Competition driver of the year awards.
The Briton told Monday's Times newspaper that former BAR and Benetton team boss David Richards, whose Prodrive company has been linked to a takeover of the former champion, was one of several interested parties.
"Richards is up against more than somebody," said Ecclestone. "There is the Gerard Lopez group, there is David Richards and then there are another two people."
Lopez is the founder of technology investment company Mangrove Capital Partners and chairman of Luxembourg-based fund Genii capital.
The businessman has also invested in Gravity Sport Management, whose athletes include China's Tung Ho-pin. Tung, the first Chinese to drive a Formula One car, recently tested with Renault in Spain.
Renault, which has not commented on the recent speculation, said last month that it would decide its Formula One future by the end of the year.
The company board is expected to meet in Paris this week with media reports speculating that it is considering selling a controlling stake to outside investors in a partnership deal that would see the team continue to race with its engines.
The team was handed a suspended permanent ban in September for its involvement in a race-fixing controversy which resulted in ex-principal Flavio Briatore being barred for life. Ecclestone hoped a deal would be done soon.
"I don't think there is any big rush to get something done, but the sooner the better for everybody," he said. "I hope it can be done within the next 10 days and before everybody breaks up for Christmas."
Renault has signed Poland's Robert Kubica as one of its drivers for 2010 but has yet to confirm his teammate. Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who won two titles with the French carmaker, has joined Ferrari.
Meanwhile, Britain's Dean Smith secured a Formula One test with McLaren and a 50,000 pound (US$82,920) prize after winning the McLaren Autosport BRDC (British Racing Drivers' Club) award on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Formula Renault UK champion follows previous winners Jenson Button and now-retired David Coulthard. Button, who won the 2009 title for Brawn, scooped Autosport's international racing driver of the year and British Competition driver of the year awards.
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