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[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

By Pablo Elizalde Tuesday, November 25th 2008, 17:46 GMT

Energy drinks giant Red Bull has bought back the 50 per cent stake in the Toro Rosso Formula One team owned by Gerhard Berger.

Berger had purchased the stake from Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz back in 2006, after the Austrian billionaire had bought the Minardi team and renamed it.

On Tuesday, Mateschitz announced he had bought Berger's shares back, taking complete control of Toro Rosso.

"I am very grateful to Gerhard for his huge input," said Mateschitz. "Together we turned Toro Rosso into a team that qualified on a regular basis in the top 10 and collected world championship points."

Toro Rosso were the best of the Red Bull-owned squads this year, taking their maiden victory at the Italian Grand Prix and finishing ahead of Red Bull Racing.

The team's future had been in some doubt for some time after Mateschitz announced his intention to sell his stake earlier this year.

[EwanM]

You beat me to it, I was just about to post this.

Sato's got that drive with Buemi now - confirmed more than likely

[7UpJordan]

You beat me to it, I was just about to post this.

Sato's got that drive with Buemi now - confirmed more than likely

No way!! What about Bourdais??

[Kiwi_Chris]

so does this meant that Berger is gone from the team completly? or will we still see him on the pitwall in the future

[MCL2k6]

Well, in any case, I hope that Seb Bourdais gets another season. He's up to the challenge now! Rooting for him

[Rorschach]

So Bourdais gets the shaft?

[MCL2k6]

So Bourdais gets the shaft?

I sincerely hope not!

[EwanM]

You beat me to it, I was just about to post this.

Sato's got that drive with Buemi now - confirmed more than likely

No way!! What about Bourdais??

Unless Red Bull don't care about their buisiness they will sign Bourdais
But that Japanese market will be too tempting I fear. Especially with Berger out of the picture.

[scotty]

Sucks that Berger will most likely disappear from the pit wall, i've been a fan of his for years.

[KyrosV]

so does this mean STR wont be sold at the end of the year?

Is he actually allowed to own 2 teams? Ithough the whole reason he owned half of STR was because he couldnt own 2?

WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN??

[Gaz]

so does this mean STR wont be sold at the end of the year?

Is he actually allowed to own 2 teams? Ithough the whole reason he owned half of STR was because he couldnt own 2?

WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN??

i expect its because STR did better than RB perhaps there's a rumour going around that Berger didn't like the driver choice so there's been a disagrement.

I feel the fact Sato getting a drive has a lot to do with Red Bull wanting to break into the Japanese Market.

[Dutchcruijff]

To be honest, that makes sense solely because selling an F1 team from one owner is less complicated than trying to negotiate majority shares and what not. Red Bull have indicated they fully own STR, thus they'll find it easier to sell it on.

So nope it's not about STR out-performing RBR.

"A 100% financing of a joint project by one partner can only make sense, to my mind, at an initial stage", Gerhard Berger emphasised. "This stage is over now. That's why Red Bull will take over the shares again". "Red Bull will now run Toro Rosso alone on this basis, as well as remaining a partner of Berger Logistik", added Didi Mateschitz. "

Berger to stay I would say...

[KyrosV]

To be honest, that makes sense solely because selling an F1 team from one owner is less complicated than trying to negotiate majority shares and what not. Red Bull have indicated they fully own STR, thus they'll find it easier to sell it on.

So nope it's not about STR out-performing RBR.

"A 100% financing of a joint project by one partner can only make sense, to my mind, at an initial stage", Gerhard Berger emphasised. "This stage is over now. That's why Red Bull will take over the shares again". "Red Bull will now run Toro Rosso alone on this basis, as well as remaining a partner of Berger Logistik", added Didi Mateschitz. "

Berger to stay I would say...

Hmm thats a good way of looking at it

but would this make less of a chance of Berger buying the team then? or will he go away, regroup, get some partners and then buy the team?

[Dutchcruijff]

I suppose he'll have first option if the opportunity comes begging. But he's going to have to fight off competition by a few manufacturers and oldies like Jordan & Stoddart if they decide to make a return.