FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[texasmr2]

Yes it does seem that he is dancing around the question. Sir Richard states he would be interested if F1 became more cost effective and greener, what the hell does think F1 is trying to do at this very point in time? He may be a sly fox but not as sly as he thinks he is.

I think he's looking for proper assurance that the cost cutting measures will be enacted over the next few years. I mean there are still a number of cost cutting issues that haven't been approved yet - such as wind tunnel usage. Without these assurances Branson has every right to be sceptical, especially if he has to pay alot to fund the 2009 outfit.

I totally agree and thanks for adding the second part which is a huge. I get tired of typing so you can be my 'ghost writer' any day!

[McLaren Fan]

Fry is a small price to pay (and a very large wage to drop off the wage bill) if it means the team will survive.

If I were Honda, I'd far rather sell the team to Virgin. Branson has the time, energy, will and money to make the team success. Fry may be willing to commit a lot to the team, but he's not in Branson's league socially and financially. On top of that, Fry has demonstrated nothing to me which suggests he could turn Honda (or whatever it would be called) into a successful outfit.

[7UpJordan]

F1 doesn't need (or want) Nick Fry, Branson would contribute more to its wellbeing.

[Rivelution]

On top of that, Fry has demonstrated nothing to me which suggests he could turn Honda (or whatever it would be called) into a successful outfit.

Fry would probably name it the 4th reich.

[7UpJordan]

On top of that, Fry has demonstrated nothing to me which suggests he could turn Honda (or whatever it would be called) into a successful outfit.

Fry would probably name it the 4th reich.

And Mosley would probably have a share in the team which includes some Hookers and fresh whips for him.

[Gaz]

well after his interview on 5 live i say the deal for virgin is off.

[Stealthgate007]

ay carumba shes a milf

Louise Reavil page has been removed from facebook. ....and I didn't get to see what she looked like

hmmmmm

[Hanwombat]

ay carumba shes a milf

Louise Reavil page has been removed from facebook. ....and I didn't get to see what she looked like

hmmmmm

me neither

[cap-dude]

well after his interview on 5 live i say the deal for virgin is off.

How so. Listen carefully to what he said.

He said "If we were (going to take over Honda) there would be a clause that would prevent me talking about it,"
In otherwords, if he is in negotiations, and he was interviewed, he could not claim to be in negotiations (because of the contract), nor could he deny it (because he'd be lying).
During the interview, if he wasn't in negotiations with Honda he would of simply denied the rumours. But he didn't. Meaning that theres a 99% chance that he is in fact in neotiations.

However, whether or not a buy-out goes ahead is a totally different story. I think Brandson is 100% interested in F1, but he's wary of the fact that teams don't make money in F1. Brandson is buisness man, he's not going to invest money in something thats going to force him to lose money. Especially with the economic climate. I think, if Bernie or someone can prove that F1 is willing to make further cost cuts, so that Brandson can within at least few years definitely be making a profit, then he'll purchase the team.

[Gert]

Reading between the lines, he's wary of CVC's involvement & of Mosley's.

If Honda can keep the team running for a year or so, until the situation with CVC can be sorted & Max can be sent on his way then maybe he'll by it.

If not, then he might just walk away, or wait a bit longer & see if he can seperate Frank Williams/Mallya/Renault/you name it from his/their team(s) - the longer he leaves it the more of a buyer's market it becomes.

[Gaz]

well after his interview on 5 live i say the deal for virgin is off.

How so. Listen carefully to what he said.

He said "If we were (going to take over Honda) there would be a clause that would prevent me talking about it,"
In otherwords, if he is in negotiations, and he was interviewed, he could not claim to be in negotiations (because of the contract), nor could he deny it (because he'd be lying).
During the interview, if he wasn't in negotiations with Honda he would of simply denied the rumours. But he didn't. Meaning that theres a 99% chance that he is in fact in neotiations.

However, whether or not a buy-out goes ahead is a totally different story. I think Brandson is 100% interested in F1, but he's wary of the fact that teams don't make money in F1. Brandson is buisness man, he's not going to invest money in something thats going to force him to lose money. Especially with the economic climate. I think, if Bernie or someone can prove that F1 is willing to make further cost cuts, so that Brandson can within at least few years definitely be making a profit, then he'll purchase the team.

Yeh i get that mate, i read the intreview.

I'm not saying there was never intrest from virgin to take over honda.

I'm just saying based on this:

“I love grands prix,” Branson told BBC Radio Five Live. But he added: “If Bernie Ecclestone can make it more cost-effective for the likes of the Virgin brand to come into the sport, and if he can champion clean motor-car racing - which is possible to do by making sure all the cars run on clean fuels -then at some stage we might be interested in getting involved.”

the deal is off, as in they looked at taking over honda but its not cost effective, nor clean up enough for the likes of the virgin brand to get invlovled.

[Denthúl]

well after his interview on 5 live i say the deal for virgin is off.

How so. Listen carefully to what he said.

He said "If we were (going to take over Honda) there would be a clause that would prevent me talking about it,"
In otherwords, if he is in negotiations, and he was interviewed, he could not claim to be in negotiations (because of the contract), nor could he deny it (because he'd be lying).
During the interview, if he wasn't in negotiations with Honda he would of simply denied the rumours. But he didn't. Meaning that theres a 99% chance that he is in fact in neotiations.

However, whether or not a buy-out goes ahead is a totally different story. I think Brandson is 100% interested in F1, but he's wary of the fact that teams don't make money in F1. Brandson is buisness man, he's not going to invest money in something thats going to force him to lose money. Especially with the economic climate. I think, if Bernie or someone can prove that F1 is willing to make further cost cuts, so that Brandson can within at least few years definitely be making a profit, then he'll purchase the team.

Yeh i get that mate, i read the intreview.

I'm not saying there was never intrest from virgin to take over honda.

I'm just saying based on this:

“I love grands prix,” Branson told BBC Radio Five Live. But he added: “If Bernie Ecclestone can make it more cost-effective for the likes of the Virgin brand to come into the sport, and if he can champion clean motor-car racing - which is possible to do by making sure all the cars run on clean fuels -then at some stage we might be interested in getting involved.”

the deal is off, as in they looked at taking over honda but its not cost effective, nor clean up enough for the likes of the virgin brand to get invlovled.

I think he's looking for promises from Bernie and Max, rather than actually looking to have those things right now. If the FIA adds those things to next year's regulations and imposes more budget-cutting measures, I think he'd buy the team this year and run it. After all, if the team is shut down, the staff dismissed and the factories sold off, it would be far more expensive for Branson to set up a team and enter Formula One in the future. He's a very smart and very good business man, so I wouldn't rule him out just yet

[Gaz]

true but unless he knows he's really really wanted in lineup to buy the team as in he's honda's and bernies 1st choice (hes definlty bernines 1st choice but not sure about honda)

why come across as if your not really that intrested in f1 in its current state.

[Denthúl]

true but unless he knows he's really really wanted in lineup to buy the team as in he's honda's and bernies 1st choice (hes definlty bernines 1st choice but not sure about honda)

why come across as if your not really that intrested in f1 in its current state.

To get Bernie to impose changes. Branson is rich, Bernie's love for money is no secret. If Bernie can get the Virgin brand in to the sport it would be a huge boost to his finances and would fatten up his wallet. Branson probably knows this (I'm sure he'll have read about what Bernie said on the matter) and may well be using it to get things done. Bernie knows that there are three options at the moment: Honda close, Fry takes over or Branson buys it. Financially, which one is best for his wallet?

[cap-dude]

I'd simply say Brandson is playing hard to get. He knows that Bernie badly wants Virgin to become involved in F1. Seeing as, if a big company like Virgin buys into F1 during the current econmic crisis, it makes F1 look like a stable place to invest. Meaning less sponsors will drop out, and more see F1 as a stable investment. Therefore, Brandson will prolong the deal, until Bernie tries to sweeten the deal.

Or. Brandson is again making free publicity for himself. He apparently made a fuss over the fall of northern rock, simply for a bit of publicity for Virgin.

Really, only time will tell. But the wait is getting a bit ridiculous now. Even if Honda is bought, I would hardly expect to see them at Melbourne.