Scuderia Toro Rosso up for sale... in two years
After months of speculation and denials, Red Bull chief Dietrich Mateschitz has confirmed that Scuderia Toro Rosso is up for sale. STR is the effective b-squad to Red Bull Racing, and is jointly owned by Mateschitz and former F1 driver Gerhard Berger, having purchased the perennial back-marker Minardi team in 2006.The impetus for the sale is reportedly the new regulation banning joint development or customer cars beginning in 2010, which puts STR and its collaboration with the Red Bull main team in jeopardy. Toro Rosso made an admirable start to the season this past Sunday at the Australian Grand Prix, where four-time Champ Car champ Sebastien Bourdais finished in the points on his F1 debut after narrowly missing a fourth-place finish. If the team continues to outperform expectations, Mateschitz and Berger should have no trouble finding a buyer by 2010, until which time STR will continue its campaign under current ownership. Numerous potential buyers have been touted already, including Tony Teixeira, who already has a good relationship with engine supplier Ferrari after negotiating a similar deal for his A1GP series.
[Source: Autosport, Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bert 11:14AM (3/18/2008)
Hi, this is David Richards, I would be interested to talk to Mr. Mateschitz in regards to his cars and parts for sale. Please call me at 1-800-prodrive at your earliest convenience. If you get my voice mail, press zero and ask the receptionist to have me paged.
Cheerio, Guten tag.
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hashiryu 12:02PM (3/18/2008)
LOL!!!!!!!!!
Quattrofan 11:40AM (3/18/2008)
Wasn't Prodrive negotiating with McLaren/Mercedes to supply chassis/engines? This would seem like a step down in reliability/overall performance as Torro Rosso is at best a middle of a pack runner.
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Bert 12:07PM (3/18/2008)
Yes, they were. But the FIA banned the use of 'customer cars'. Prodrive's plan all along was to use a customer car, so it came as a surprise to Prodrive to have them banned months after winning the entry.
Alan 12:14PM (3/18/2008)
Good, this is one of the few points with which Bernie Ecclestone and I agree. It is way better for F1 if Red Bull has one team and focuses all their efforts there instead of two half-assed efforts. Also, any new teams that are brought in can only help make things better. Hopefully, there will be a new Toro Rosso team owner and also the 12th team by 2010, but who knows.
Yes, David Richards would be a welcomed return, well played Bert.
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davewin 1:42PM (3/18/2008)
Wonder if the driver contracts are included as part of the sale. Anyone know how long Vettel is signed to Torro Rosso? Would add quite a bit to the price tag (and value).
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Bert 2:01PM (3/18/2008)
Hi, This is Dave Richards again. I am not sure that I dialed the correct number before. I am calling in regards to your ad, the one about the formula 1 team for sale. Anyways, It would be so kind of you to ask Mr. Mateschitz to call me be. I am truly interested and I can assure you that I am not looking for a kick-the-tire joy-ride.
My personal cell phone number is 1-888-555-Dave. Feel free to call me any time day or night.
Highest Regards.
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The Penguin 3:32PM (3/18/2008)
Hopefully VW Group will buy them, and turn the team to a into a BMW, Renault, Ferrari, and Mclaren competitor.
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