Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Cars of the Rich and the Famous]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/cars-of-the-rich-and-the-famous/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/cars-of-the-rich-and-the-famous/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/cars-of-the-rich-and-the-famous/#comments

If you were one of the world's richest human beings, what kind of car would you own? The richest man in the world, Carlos Slim Helu (worth about $69 billion), drives himself to work in a Bentley Continental Flying Spur. MSRP: $300K.

On the other hand, if you were Ingvar Kamprad, founder of Ikea, you'd drive something more humble like a 1993 Volvo 240. We wonder if he had to put it together himself.

Then there's Bill Gates. Another of the world's wealthiest people, Mr. Gates showed a video at the 2008 CES keynote of him driving away from his last day at work at Microsoft in a Ford Focus. While that may or may not be his daily driver, one of his cars has been well documented.

In 1999, President Clinton signed into law the "Show and Display" rule that exempted certain collectible cars from government emission and crash worthiness rules. Bill Gates and several other very rich motor nuts were instrumental in getting the law passed. The exemption allowed Gates to break his Porsche 959 free from the customs impound lot after more than a decade.

Check out the other 11 gajillionaires and their rides here.

Cars of the Rich and the Famous originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 May 2012 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill gatescarlos slimIngvar Kampradmost expensiverichestricky gervaisworlds richestworlds richest manThu, 03 May 2012 10:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20228034/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/03/cars-of-the-rich-and-the-famous/20228034/article-detail.xml 20228034 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/00009flyingspur-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/00009flyingspur-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Rumormill: Murdoch's News Corp considering Formula 1 takeover]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/22/rumormill-murdochs-news-corp-considering-formula-1-takeover/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/22/rumormill-murdochs-news-corp-considering-formula-1-takeover/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/22/rumormill-murdochs-news-corp-considering-formula-1-takeover/#commentsFiled under: , ,

rupert murdoch

You've probably heard the old saying that the best way to make a small fortune in Formula One racing is to start with a big fortune. The Telegraph in the UK is reporting that Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. may be looking to put that saying to the test, as the media empire is reportedly engaged in early talks to take over the popular global racing series. The talks reportedly also include Sauber sponsor Carlos Slim, who happens to be among the richest men in the world, and companies connected to at least one of F1's car manufacturers.

The talks are reportedly so fresh that they have not yet involved private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, which currently holds the keys to the racing series. F1 has proven to be popular with its fan base, though there have been plenty financial of struggles as many automakers and banks have bailed on the sport.

Another option for Murdoch (above) is to make a play to buy the broadcast rights to F1. The move could generate more money for the sport, while giving it a larger worldwide spotlight.

Since these talks are little more than rumor at this point, it's difficult to discern whether anything will come of it. But given Carlos Slim's love the sport and News Corp's history of shelling out big bucks for NFL broadcasting rights, we'd add that anything is possible.

[Source: Telegraph | Image: Mark Wilson/Getty]

Rumormill: Murdoch's News Corp considering Formula 1 takeover originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlos slimcvc capital partnersf1formula 1formula onenews corpnews corp in talks to buy f1newscorprupert murdochsauberFri, 22 Apr 2011 10:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19918232/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/22/rumormill-murdochs-news-corp-considering-formula-1-takeover/19918232/article-detail.xml 19918232 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/rupert-murdoch-contemplates_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/rupert-murdoch-contemplates.jpg <![CDATA[Sauber F1 goes Mexican with Carlos Slim and new drivers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/12/sauber-f1-goes-mexican-with-carlos-slim-and-new-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/12/sauber-f1-goes-mexican-with-carlos-slim-and-new-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/12/sauber-f1-goes-mexican-with-carlos-slim-and-new-drivers/#commentsFiled under: ,

New Sauber F1 driverThe dream of having an American team in Formula One may be dead, but that doesn't mean our friends South of the Border can't take a stab at it. A couple of years ago, Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim was tied to potentially buying out Honda's F1 team when the Japanese automaker was preparing to withdraw from the sport. That deal never came to be, but the world's wealthiest man (having recently surpassed the likes of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett) appears to be moving in on the Sauber team.

After racing for years as an independent team, Sauber sold out to BMW a few years back, which then subsequently followed Honda off the grid, leaving Peter Sauber to support the team on his own once again. Strapped for cash, the team has been racing plain white cars largely without major sponsorship this season, but a new deal could secure the team's future.

The deal involves sponsorship from Slim's company Telmex for an untold amount. Along with it, Sauber has signed Mexican driver Sergio Perez to a race seat for next season. Perez won the national class in British Formula Three back in 2007, drove for Team Mexico in A1GP and has won several races in GP2, a series in which he currently sits second. He's never driven an F1 car, though, but will race alongside Kamui Kobayashi next season. The news leaves Nick Heidfeld without a seat yet again as Perez signs as well with the Ferrari Driver Academy.

Coupled with the recently-announced contract to bring in GP3 champion Esteban Gutierrez, who also races under the Mexican flag as the team's test/reserve driver for next season, the news gives the struggling Swiss team a decidedly picante flavor for the upcoming season.

[Source: Sauber]

Continue reading Sauber F1 goes Mexican with Carlos Slim and new drivers

Sauber F1 goes Mexican with Carlos Slim and new drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmw-saubercarlos slimperezsaubersauber f1sergio pereztelmexTue, 12 Oct 2010 18:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19669346/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/10/12/sauber-f1-goes-mexican-with-carlos-slim-and-new-drivers/19669346/article-detail.xml 19669346 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/100177fda_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/100177fda.jpg <![CDATA[Grand Primer: A dozen new teams lodge bids to enter F1]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/06/grand-primer-a-dozen-new-teams-lodge-bids-to-enter-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/06/grand-primer-a-dozen-new-teams-lodge-bids-to-enter-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/06/grand-primer-a-dozen-new-teams-lodge-bids-to-enter-f1/#commentsFiled under:



Whatever the outcome of the standoff between the Formula One Teams Association and the FIA, it was clear from the get-go that F1 was to change dramatically. As it turned out, the two parties - the first representing the teams currently participating in the sport and the second its governing body - have apparently reconciled their differences.

But as it turns out, even if all of the existing teams walked, the FIA would still have had a field of eager teams ready to take their place - that's one heck of a bargaining chip. One way or another, all indications are that the cost of running an F1 team will be drastically reduced in the near future, starting with next season. Lower costs mean easier access, and teams have been lining up by the dozen to take part in the new, more accessibly Formula One. Follow the jump to read all about 'em.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty]

Continue reading Grand Primer: A dozen new teams lodge bids to enter F1

Grand Primer: A dozen new teams lodge bids to enter F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Jun 2009 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex wurzAlexWurzaston martinAstonMartincamposcarlos slimCarlosSlimdavid richardsDavidRichardsepsilon euskadiEpsilonEuskadif1fiafomformtechformula 1formula oneformula one managementFormula1FormulaOneFormulaOneManagementisportlolamarchmike gascoyneMikeGascoynen.technologynick wirthNickWirthprodriveray mallockRayMallockteam superfundTeamSuperfundus gpeusf1UsGpeSat, 06 Jun 2009 10:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19056882/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/06/06/grand-primer-a-dozen-new-teams-lodge-bids-to-enter-f1/19056882/article-detail.xml 19056882 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/bahrain-end_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/bahrain-end.jpg <![CDATA[Psych! Honda F1 not being bought by Mexican billionaire]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/29/psych-honda-f1-not-being-bought-by-mexican-billionaire/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/29/psych-honda-f1-not-being-bought-by-mexican-billionaire/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/29/psych-honda-f1-not-being-bought-by-mexican-billionaire/#commentsFiled under: ,

Have you heard the one about the former F1 team that gets bought by the Mexican billionaire? Yeah, well, we heard it, too, and it's completely untrue. Not only has Carlos Slim has not bought Honda, but a spokesman makes clear that "There is no deal for the Honda team. There is neither agreement nor negotiations."

Nevertheless, Honda says it is leaving the team in good shape and everything is still moving forward. Team chief Ross Brawn said "We have enough funding to get us through to Melbourne and we still have a competitive package." Brawn also said so many folks are snooping around that they've got to sort the jokers from the serious players. Cue Dave Richards...

[Source: Eurosport]

Psych! Honda F1 not being bought by Mexican billionaire originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bruno sennaBrunoSennacarlos slimCarlosSlimf1formula 1Formula1hondahonda f1HondaF1ross brawnRossBrawnMon, 29 Dec 2008 11:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1413062/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/29/psych-honda-f1-not-being-bought-by-mexican-billionaire/1413062/article-detail.xml 1413062 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/slim_no_honf1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/slim_no_honf1.jpg <![CDATA[Honda F1 SOLD! to a man named Slim]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/27/honda-f1-sold-to-a-man-named-slim/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/27/honda-f1-sold-to-a-man-named-slim/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/27/honda-f1-sold-to-a-man-named-slim/#commentsFiled under: ,

According to La Stampa, Honda F1 has a buyer: Mexican telecom billionaire Carlos Slim Helu. Reports claim he paid the single dollar Honda was asking. He trumped Force India F1 owner Vijay Mallya, who was suspected to want the Honda team only for its tech know-how, and Prodrive's Dave Richards.

When Honda announced its immediate departure from F1 on December 4, it gave the outfit 27 days to find a bona fide buyer who would make a credible 3-year commitment to run the team. If the team did find such a purchaser, Honda said it would assist with finances and technical support. Carlos Slim has the finances and the experience: he is reportedly the second richest man in the world, and his companies are already involved in motorsport.

If the transaction proves to be true, and assuming the team gets funded properly, it will mean a few good things for the 2009 F1 season: it will add another privateer team to the grid, it will let Ross Brawn continue creating the team he's been dying to lead since he was at Ferrari, and it will return the name "Senna" to the grid. Bruno, Ayrton Senna's nephew, is sponsored by Embratel, a subsidiary of Slim's Telmex company, and will certainly replace Rubens Barrichello as the one flying the Brazilian flag.

[Source: La Stampa via My Automovil]

Honda F1 SOLD! to a man named Slim originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Dec 2008 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bruno sennaBrunoSennacarlos slimcarlos slim heluCarlosSlimCarlosSlimHeluf1formula 1Formula1honda f1HondaF1jenson buttonJensonButtonmotorsportsSat, 27 Dec 2008 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1412501/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/27/honda-f1-sold-to-a-man-named-slim/1412501/article-detail.xml 1412501 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/slim_honf1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/slim_honf1.jpg -1 2