Autosport quoted a Daily Telegraph story in which Honda and specifically Ross Brawn have denied that Mexican telecom giant Carlos Slim has purchased the Brackley-based F1 team. You can see the full story here.
“We would love it if it were true, but it’s pure speculation from various members of the media. It’s just been one of those rumours which has developed a life of its own.”
Brawn added: “There has been a huge amount of interest. It’s now got to the stage where we need to filter out the serious from the not so serious. We’re all hopeful that something will happen and we’re anxious to turn up the wick again in the new year.”
Fry told autosport.com: “While it would be inappropriate to comment on any one potential purchaser of the team, Ross and I are very pleased with the level and calibre of interest in our team and we hope that we can bring this to a conclusion by the end of January. In the meantime, preparations for Melbourne continue.”
The Mexican Escuderia Telmex, backed by Slim’s company, also denied that a deal was in place for him to buy Honda in a statement issued on Saturday.
“Escuderia Telmex informs that Carlos Slim Helu has not acquired nor has any negotiations for this aim with the Honda Formula One team. All the information on this subject lacks foundation and is completely false.”
No good for Autosport and Daily Telegraph for running down the rumor and proving Italian Media unreliable…I guess. Or good for Honda for throwing Italian Media under the bus. Either way, where there is smoke, there is fire. And the fire may happen to be a fire sale for a dollar. I’m still holding out hope that another billionaire is going to dive into F1…not to mention Grace gets to see more of Jenson if this is the case.
