FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[headless]

Pickles -- that is an awful one!

I hope its true the livery would be interesting, but not sure it'll happen. Bit late.

[KyrosV]

I like Virgin.

I hope they run a tight operation...

[Rivelution]

I like Virgin.

I hope they run a tight operation...

Dirty

[headless]

Tut tut.

[Hanwombat]

I like Virgin.

I hope they run a tight operation...

Naughty

[KyrosV]

sorry but everyone likes a bit of smut now and then

[texasmr2]

I like Virgin.

I hope they run a tight operation...

[racechick]

Adrian coming back!!! Cooooool!! I'll email him and find out!

[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

Honda team bosses turned down Bernie Ecclestone's financial help for their attempted management buyout.

In an interview with News of the World, the F1 Chief Executive revealed he offered to assist Nick Fry and Ross Brawn to complete the deal, which also would have given him a voice inside the FOTA alliance.

"They should have taken what I offered," said the 78-year-old, amid reports that Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group is now close to buying the Brackley team.

"It was a very good offer for everybody concerned. It gave them complete protection but they wanted to do things on their own. Now all we can do is hope and pray," Ecclestone added.

The Briton said he does not know what is going to happen, but expressed frustration that the uncertainty is also threatening the unconfirmed debut of Bruno Senna.

"It would be fantastic for everybody to have the name Senna back in F1," said Ecclestone.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

Hmm. Although it would be disappointing to see Honda's demise ultimately because they did turn down Ecclestone's offer, I would not be unduly disappointed. Ecclestone is merely looking after his own back here. He doesn't want the grid getting any smaller in case Formula One's entertainment value declines - and, thus, television and sponsorship money etc. - and he wants strengthen his position by getting a voice in FOTA.

[SarahB62]

From Reuters

Honda F1 turned down my offer, says Ecclestone
18:35 GMT, Sun 22 Feb 2009 Email | Print | Share[-] Text [+]
1 of 1Full SizeLONDON (Reuters) - Honda Formula One team bosses turned down Bernie Ecclestone's offer to help with a planned management buy-out, the sport's commercial supremo was quoted as saying on Sunday.

"I tried to help with the management buy-out," the 78-year-old Briton told the News of the World newspaper. "They should have taken what I offered.

"It was a very good offer for everybody concerned. It gave them complete protection but they wanted to do things on their own," he added.

"Now all we can do is hope and pray," added the billionaire, whose involvement in a management buy-out could have given him a say in the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), which is seeking more of the sport's revenues.

Ecclestone said the Japanese carmaker, who announced in December that they were quitting the sport, had three options -- accept the management buy-out, sell to British entrepreneur Richard Branson's Virgin Group or close down the team.

Branson told BBC radio on Saturday that he loved Formula One and could step in to rescue the team if certain conditions were met.

Ecclestone said Brazilian Bruno Senna, nephew of the late triple world champion Ayrton, was lined up to drive for the team should it survive.

"The silly thing is we have got Bruno wanting to drive," he said. "It would be fantastic for everybody to have the name Senna back in F1."

Was this Bernie's way of trying to get back door entry into FOTA?

[Gaz]

possibly but i don't think so i just think he's doing his job which is to get as many teams in f1 as possible to keep the sport viable.

[SarahB62]

Just have my fingers crossed that someone does step in and come up with an offer that Honda accept. As you say we need as many teams as possible.

[headless]

Yeah but everybody wants a full grid next year, so we shouldnt care who buys the team.

[stonemonkey]

If Bernie announced he was 'going for a s***' would you believe his only intention was to inform the world he was going for a s****.

[racechick]

but better Branson than Ecclestone!