A few web sites posted a news on Friday morning stating that Jacques Villeneuve/Durango ’s organization was interested in purchasing the Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula 1 team.
European site TomorrowNewsf1 stated that Villeneuve is currently in discussion to purchase the team from Red Bull supremo, Austrian businessman Dietrich Mateschitz.
Mateschitz purchased the Minardi team in 2005 for $35 millions from Paul Stoddart. The following year, Mateschitz renamed the team Toro Rosso. He then sold it to his good friend, former Grand Prix driver Gerhard Berger.
However, Berger did not find major sponsors to pay for the bills, and decided to sell the small Italian team back to Mateschitz.
According to TomorrowNewsf1, Villeneuve/Durango has offered 30 millions of euros for the team. Apparently, initial discussions started last year and Villeneuve’s offer is being seriously considered, as Mateschitz does not really want to run two F1 teams at the same time.
If Villeneuve takes the control of Toro Rosso, it will be interesting to see what will happen with the development program of Red Bull, as a season with the Italian team was used as a “test bench” for their young drivers (look at Sebastian Vettel).
European site TomorrowNewsf1 stated that Villeneuve is currently in discussion to purchase the team from Red Bull supremo, Austrian businessman Dietrich Mateschitz.
Mateschitz purchased the Minardi team in 2005 for $35 millions from Paul Stoddart. The following year, Mateschitz renamed the team Toro Rosso. He then sold it to his good friend, former Grand Prix driver Gerhard Berger.
However, Berger did not find major sponsors to pay for the bills, and decided to sell the small Italian team back to Mateschitz.
According to TomorrowNewsf1, Villeneuve/Durango has offered 30 millions of euros for the team. Apparently, initial discussions started last year and Villeneuve’s offer is being seriously considered, as Mateschitz does not really want to run two F1 teams at the same time.
If Villeneuve takes the control of Toro Rosso, it will be interesting to see what will happen with the development program of Red Bull, as a season with the Italian team was used as a “test bench” for their young drivers (look at Sebastian Vettel).