More bidders join race to buy F1 commercial rights

More bidders have reportedly joined the race to buy formula one. Last week, it emerged that the sport's controlling shareholder, CVC, as well as Bernie Ecclestone could sell their respective stakes to a consortium involving Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and Qatar's sports investment arm.

But F1 supremo Ecclestone hinted that they might not be alone, as "three or four" potential bidders are in fact interested in the commercial rights. Now, the Sunday Times reports that the broadcaster Sky is among them, backed by American billionaire John Malone of the international telcom Liberty Global.

Sources told the report that Sky-Liberty "have held informal discussions with CVC about a deal", while Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, whose 16-year-old son Lance is in Ferrari's driver academy, "has also been linked with a bid". "CVC has recruited Goldman Sachs to advise on its options," the Sunday Times added.

Fascinatingly, the news follows a report in London's Times newspaper that CVC looked into buying Formula E, the all-electric series that raced on the streets of London at the weekend. But the report said CVC's Donald Mackenzie "pulled back because of potential problems with European competition authorities".

F1's much-reported problems have been highlighted recently by the success of Formula E as well as Le Mans sports car racing, and Virgin's Sir Richard Branson thinks Formula E "will overtake formula one" within a few years.

But FIA president Jean Todt said of Formula E and F1: "It's a nonsense to think they are competing against each other. F1 is fascinating (so) I'm wondering why there is such negativity around it. Where is the passion to make it better?" added the Frenchman. (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar