Bernie Ecclestone has played down widespread reports that media magnate Rupert Murdoch as well as Carlos Slim, the Sauber backer and richest man in the world, could be preparing a bid to take over formula one.<\/p>\n
The initial report was carried exclusively by Sky News, part of Murdoch’s News Corporation empire, but F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone told the Telegraph it is “rubbish”.<\/p>\n
Sky said the talks, also including a car manufacturer involved in F1, are “in the early stages” and might in fact involve News Corporation bidding for television broadcast rights.<\/p>\n
The latter detail could be significant for F1 fans, given Murdoch’s notorious attitude about the pricing of media content.<\/p>\n
“The company is kicking the tyres, as you would expect, given that there may be a serious business opportunity to examine in relation to F1,” said a source.<\/p>\n
Another added: “It is at a very, very early point and could lead to nothing or could lead to many different permutations.”<\/p>\n
And yet another source told the Guardian: “They (News Corp) are thinking about F1 and options they could take but that is all it is at this stage.”<\/p>\n
F1’s current owner CVC declined to comment, as did a spokesman for Mexican Slim’s group of companies, while a spokesman for News Corporation said: “(We do) not comment on speculation.”<\/p>\n
Ecclestone said: “The sport is not for sale.”<\/p>\n
He told the UK Express newspaper: “I suppose anything you or I own is available to buy.\u00a0 But the offer would not have to be right — it would have to be ridiculous.”<\/p>\n
A source said: “Unless any bidder – be it News Corp, its partners or a rival – is welcomed by Bernie, nothing is happening.”<\/p>\n
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