Red Bull to buy Minardi (merged)

[BSchneiderFan]

That's the rumour on www.crash.net. Can't say I see the logic of it myself.

[Kicking-back]

Could make some sense to have a junior team as Red Bull has so many drivers it backs.

DC and CK at Red Bull, SS and VL at Minardi

[Stargazer7]

The point is not to change the name as Giancarlo Minardi stated in F1racing.net

[BSchneiderFan]

Red Bull is slowly taking over the world, if you ask me.

[T0MAT01]

<----- Mini Mateschitz?

[steve_r]

Do what?
That makes no sense to me.

[Raglanparade]

If they were both running Cosworth power it would make sense.

Remember that the chassis rules stipulate that each team must have a different chassis...... would Red Bull really want to make two different chassis ?

[BSchneiderFan]

Part of the rumour is that next year's Red Bull-owned Minardi would run Ferrari V8s.

[Kicking-back]

Or detuned Ferrari V10s...

[Raglanparade]

Hmmm... Ferrari and Red Bull jointly buy Minardi

Thus.. keeping the team Italian

And using it to race new unfitted parts for unreliability ?

[macdaddy]

There's a story on SpeedTV.

It’s said that a deal will be signed this weekend giving the Austrian company a week to complete due diligence before the arrangement becomes final.

It would shift the balance of power between the manufacturer group and those aligned to Bernie to six vs. four.

There also remains the interesting possibility that the rebranded team could even have access to restricted Ferrari V10 engines next year, although that will involve dumping the current plans to run Cosworths.

Questioned on the prospects of a Red Bull/Minardi deal, RBR sporting director Christian Horner would say only: “I wouldn’t read too much into paddock gossip."

[alfasud]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Could make some sense to have a junior team as Red Bull has so many drivers it backs.

DC and CK at Red Bull, SS and VL at Minardi

Maybe we could combine this rumour with the Valentino Rossi to drive an F1 Ferrari (race I mean not test) rumour and add Rossi to the list.

That way we could see Rossi testing with the Ferrari team in 2006:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/4209814.stm

Then racing a RedBull or Minardi/Ferrari in 2007....

[AndyVolykhov]

I'd prefer if Ferrari/Red Bull created new team if they need, not buy an other one.

[Hazard]

Assuming it's true, it's quite a weird deal. Seems very American to have a junior sub-team, has been done in CART before (i.e. the Forsythe McDonalds operation).

Of course Benetton effectively owned Ligier at one point in the 90's.

Keeping it Italian I doubt is on Red Bull's radar at all. It would be the death of the Minardi name certainly.

[FPV GTHO]

if it was true, it means the continuation of one of the oldest teams at the very least. i still think i would rather minardi continue as it is however, as stupid as it seems. their current position provides a perfect springboard into the sport either from a sub category or from being a top level tester. with midland, it seems over time they wont be too interested in undiscovered talent too much, or at least those willing to prove themselves with a few million euros handy in sponsorship

[Kicking-back]

There are some rumours that "Red Bull Minardi" clothing has already been manufactured...

[Gerben24]

I've heard that Red Bull have taken an option on Minardi, which means Minardi aren't allowed to negotiate a deal with anybody else this week. I believe the plan is to have this years chassis of RBR to be used in the Minardi team, as Minardi already signed a deal with Cosworth for V10 engines. Makes sense, there is a V10 in the back of the RB this season...

[Kicking-back]

Yep


Autosport are reporting that now - we may well get an announcement at Spa.

[Silk Cut Jaguar]

Does the rule on teams having to construct/design their own chassis only to apply to current models then? If not, it brings up a strange situation where Red Bull Minardi might not be able to use old Red Bull chassis.

[garcon]

There's an alternative rumour involving a certain Mr Irvine...

[foreversideways]

Perhaps they are bringing another drink out

[naughtymutt]

Autosport are reporting that Red Bull to buy Minardi.

[Skam85]

This has been common knowledge for a few days now.

I could be that they are just buying the 2 race seats, with some sort of Red Bull stickers on the car, it could be they are actually buying out the whole team, calling it "Team Red Bull USA". I personally prefer the first scenario.

[mabs_nsx]

This SUX!

We are losing so many teams. This year we lost Jaguar and next year we will lose Jordan and Sauber and posibly Minardi.

[Skam85]

While I agree with you mabs, we aren't exactly losing them, they are still on the grid, although I would like them to keep their names - especially Minardi!!