Richard Branson's Virgin Group interested in Honda F1 team
Is there anything in this world that billionaire Richard Branson isn't interested in? The British tycoon already has over 360 ventures under the control his Virgin Group, and he may soon add another. According to an unnamed spokesperson for Honda, Branson is in discussions, along with other unknown interested parties, to purchase the erstwhile Formula 1 team that was formerly part of a factory-backed effort from the Japanese automaker.
The 2009 F1 season begins in Australia on March 29, and officials for the ex-Honda racing team have been under frantic negotiations to get their stars aligned and cars on the starting grid ever since Honda announced it was pulling its support from the team late last year. Current speculation suggests that the team may use engines from Mercedes-Benz, though a decision on the team's fate would need to be made as quickly as possible.
F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone has said that he's personally spoken with Branson about the possibility and has offered public support for Virgin's bid.
[Source: Reuters]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TigerMil 7:38PM (2/19/2009)
Dicky must be interested in the poon that hangs around F1. Or the whips...LOL!
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TigerMil 7:39PM (2/19/2009)
whips...cars? get it....groan
Mobius_1 8:45PM (2/19/2009)
I wonder which kind of whips Max Mosley is more into.
And explaining a joke ruins it. :P
MachinaDC5 8:21PM (2/19/2009)
I wonder if the team would be Virgin or Virgin-Honda or what.
Also, nice one TigerMil.
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Mobius_1 8:46PM (2/19/2009)
Virgin Racing. Oxymoronic. (!)
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EEL 10:36PM (2/19/2009)
Yeah, the name "Virgin" in any possible team name would just make most people chuckle all the time.
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EEL 10:41PM (2/19/2009)
("Like a virgin
Touched for the very first time
Like a virgin
When your heart beats
Next to mine.")
...See, it's starting already!
Snix 12:56AM (2/20/2009)
Virgin Super Best Friends
Virgin Hart
Virgin Arrows
Virgin Lola
With a French engine from Renault! Ooh La La!
I would not mind seeing Virgin splashed on a car like the aircraft livery. Wouldn't bother me a bit.
Put Danica Patrick behind the wheel and we're all set for the PR folks. That would get attention, good and bad. But any attention is good nowadays. Take that, Bernie!!!
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Tom Winch 12:57AM (2/20/2009)
With the passion and flair that Branson brings to his other business ventures, I think he's a perfect fit to own a Formula 1 team. He's a straight shooter and also highly values cutting edge technology and pushing the envelope. Case in point, Virgin Galactic. He also values his customers. I was once on a Virgin flight returning from London to L.A. with Branson on the same plane. At one point during takeoff in very stormy weather, the flight encountered incredible turbulence and all the oxygen masks deployed, which basically scared the crap out of everyone on the plane. Branson walked around the plane and personally reassured everyone and made sure everybody received a complimentary round trip flight on Virgin. He seemed like a genuine good guy. I hope this isn't another idle rumor and turns out to be true.
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br4nd0nh347 6:03AM (2/20/2009)
Would someone do something about Honda already and stop dangling interests around. (yes that's a period)
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DICK COILOVER 9:19AM (2/20/2009)
@10
Honda is BYE BYE.... this car will be powered by MCLAREN MERCEDEZ.
rygar 9:04AM (2/20/2009)
Have Helio Castroneves drive (since Virgin bought out Helio mobile) and Burt Rutan (designer of Virgin Galactic's ship) design the car and he could have the ultimate rolling branding machine!
But seriously, I'd love to see this happen.
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Lucas521 9:49AM (2/20/2009)
I like the idea, hope that works out.
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hyundaifans.com 10:07AM (2/20/2009)
+1.
Scott Mansell 12:27PM (2/20/2009)
If Mr Branson were to purchase Honda, it would great for British Motorsport & may give British talent some opportunities in the sports highest tier. Honda have a great facility in Brackley (I have been there numerous times) and I'm sure they'll come good within a couple of seasons, with all the skilled staff they have there.
After Honda decided to pull out of their £147 million F1 investment in December last year, Branson and his 'third party' were reportedly the first group to show an interest.
Branson has been involved with F1 before, sponsoring the old Jordan team in 2002, but never before has he been so close to buying the full package.
Even Bernie Ecclestone has shown his support saying that he would 'welcome them with open arms'.
No deal is done yet, but I'm sure it''s not far off.....
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gino 2:36PM (2/20/2009)
@mansell
Even Bernie Ecclestone has shown his support saying that he would 'welcome them with open arms'.
Bernie would welcome with open arms anything that remotely resembles or smells like money--a subject so very close to his warped little heart.
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