Sauber, Toro Rosso for sale
Last week, we reported speculation that Red Bull mogul Dietrich Mateschitz wants to sell his second F1 outfit.
The original Swiss report had said the Austrian billionaire might be able to triple his money, after buying Minardi from Paul Stoddart in 2006 for just $40m.
But Italy's 422race.com said the outfit's price-tag is now just $30 million.
"There are ongoing rumors, but currently we have no plans to buy Toro Rosso," said Mateschitz's personal assistant.
The Italian report said there are several potential buyers, including Villeneuve/Durango, a group from the Far East, and Carlos Slim, the wealthiest person in the world.
But the Mexican Slim, with a net worth of more than $60 billion, is thought keener to buy into Sauber, with his interest in Toro Rosso perhaps just a negotiating ploy.
Ratings firm Nielsen estimated this week that energy drink sales have fallen one per cent.
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| Carlos Slim |
09/24/10 (GMM) According to rumors in the Singapore paddock, the Toro Rosso and Sauber teams could be set for new ownership.
The Basler Zeitung newspaper claims Nick Heidfeld's new tenure at Sauber could be short-lived because Mexican GP2 driver Sergio Perez stands a good chance of becoming Kamui Kobayashi's 2011 teammate.
The rumors linking the Swiss team with Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, who sponsors Perez through his Telmex company, have been circulating for some time.
Sauber has already signed a Mexican, the teenaged Esteban Gutierrez, as its 2011 reserve driver.
Meanwhile, the Swiss newspaper Le Matin reports that Dietrich Mateschitz wants to sell Red Bull's second formula one team Toro Rosso.
The report said the Austrian billionaire stands to make a handsome profit from the deal, because after buying Minardi for $40 million in 2006, the Faenza based team is now be worth three times that much.
Jacques Villeneuve/Durango was mentioned as a possible buyer.