GP2 chief keen on buying MF1
His name is Alfonso de Orleans, a GP2 team chief.
While Shnaider vehemently rejected any lingering talk of an invisible 'for sale' sign above the door, de Orleans – the 'Racing Engineering' boss – insisted that he is still keen to snap up the Silverstone based squad.
''Right now it seems like the team is not for sale,'' the Spaniard admitted to 'Marca' newspaper, ''but a few weeks ago it was said that everything has its price.
''So I will continue to pursue this idea (of a Spanish national F1 team).''
04/15/06 More quotes from Alfonso de Orleans Borbon to Spanish daily Marca – "Some days they say they might sell, and on other days they say I have to wait," the Spaniard said.
"The fact is that at Imola, I'm going to sit down to talk with Shnaider if I can, and if not, I'll try in the next race. The buyout is not easy to evaluate, because you have to check if they have debts," he explained.
"If we take upon ourselves to pay off their debts, then this would be included in the price – just like the Silverstone factory, the wind tunnel, and so on."
04/14/06 (GMMf1NET) Despite the team's denials, rumors surrounding the Midland-owned 'MF1' team continue to grumble.
The latest whisper originates in the 'Marca' newspaper in Spain, which reported that Alfonso de Orleans – boss of the GP2 team Racing Engineering – is keen on buying the Silverstone based outfit.
It already emerged this week that Orleans did not submit an application to join the formula one grid in 2008.
But the Spaniard is taking a peek at Midland, with 'Marca' suggesting that he wants to set up a Spanish national team, with the possible support of the government.
Orleans will apparently stage talks with Midland owner Alex Shnaider at Imola next week.
''If that cannot be done,'' he said, valuing MF1 at about $100 million, ''then we will (meet) at the next race.''