Looks to be some random company with the only listed director being some French lawyer. Unless they buy into someone they can't enter till 2019 I think. Which would be odd given 2020 brings unknown rules.
I did wonder if it was Ron Dennis and his Chinese backers who have bought some manor assets including their entry which lasts for 3 years. Of course they won't get prize money for first 3 years. I don't think it's to take over force India or sauber as they are recruiting staff.
Bernie might be behind the Brabham name owners for Force India? also found some quotes from Todt: "When we feel it is time, we will be able to make a tender. At the moment we have 10 teams and the idea is to have up to 12," "So we have an opportunity, if we have one or two strong newcomers it could be possible. There are always rumours, but we have had some interest from some teams." "it would be foolish to think anything could be done in time for 2018, however"
Lotus cars have just been purchased by a Chinese car firm... And yes Lotus cars own the Lotus F1, Team Lotus and Lotus Racing names. ...maybe? hope not.
the return of Team Lotus F1 Racing? could be worse, could be Caterham, a team I always dislike due to them coming from the wrong side of the Valley.
haha, got a love Eddie, putting the screws on Toto now. he's denying it all, of course, but the 'you must be sitting in my office' seems a bit of a freudian slip that hints it's true, soooo Hamilton to Ferrari?
The new Force India name is apparently Force One.... Bernie would never have allowed that he didnt like FI being close to F1
Re: Bando's post (above). I believe China F1 Racing Team (previously Bronze Fortune Ltd.) is likely to be the entity currently showing an interest, and I think it's probably in Campos. Whether it comes to anything is another matter but if the Chinese Government get involved (see below), it could be a real possibility for 2019. I do not believe we are looking at two separate and unrelated efforts to get into F1, but what may be being envisaged as coming together as one. However, I very much doubt there will be even one new team in 2018, unfortunately. F1's new owners need to continue to work gently at establishing full credibility, and rushing things through at short notice would not be good for anyone. From a practical point of view, I consider any new entrant to require at least a year to be remotely realistic. Having said that, I think there could be 22 cars by 2019 and possibly 24 by 2020. Liberty Media are so far doing a pretty good job in attracting new interest and are overcoming the tarnished image of F1 as a money grabbing organisation, but they still need to sort out the ridiculous state of affairs with prize money, especially not giving in to Ferrari's eternal (and ludicrously unrealistic!) bluff. And whilst it might be said Bernie was 'only doing his job' in upping the anté wherever possible, CVC – being interested only in short-term profit – was never going to be good for the sport. I'm pretty sure of one thing though: the Chinese – very much including its Government which sooner or later is likely to sponsor or even part own a new team, depending upon how they can work the numbers – are serious.
Talking of adding new teams, does anyone know how many pit garages there is space for at say Monaco? Is there a FIA reg for a minimum number of garages?
Looks like the Sauber-Honda deal is off. New management come in and seen the light? Coming last is pretty much where they are at, but it's harder to sell seats to drivers if they know the car won't actually race.
I'd heard rumours it was the other way around. Honda had faith in Kaltenborn, but want to pull out now she's no longer in charge.