Mexican billionaire denies Honda interest

Pa
Monday 29 December 2008 06:54 EST
Comments
(GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim and Honda team principal Ross Brawn have denied they are in talks over a potential takeover of the Formula One outfit.

Slim was reportedly one of four interested parties in negotiations to buy the troubled outfit following the withdrawal of the Japanese car giants from the sport earlier this month.

Italian newspaper La Stampa reported Slim, who owns telecommunications company Telmex, had bought Honda and that drivers Jenson Button and Bruno Senna would be confirmed as the 2009 line-up.

However, the Telmex racing team, which Slim also owns, issued a statement on their website quashing suggestions any deal had been done.

"The Telmex Team can confirm that Carlos Slim Helu has not bought the Honda Formula One team nor is holding any negotiations to do so, therefore all information related to this subject has no basis and is completely false," it read.

Slim's son Carlos Slim Domit reinforced his father's stance, telling the Mexican press that "it is a complete lie".

Brawn, meanwhile, told the Daily Telegraph: "We would love it if it were true but it's pure speculation from various members of the media. It's just been one of those rumours which has developed a life of its own."

However, Brawn insisted talks are progressing with other parties and revealed the team could stay in business through to the season opener in Melbourne at the end of March.

"There has been a huge amount of interest," he continued. "It's now got to the stage where we need to filter out the serious from the not so serious.

"We're all hopeful that something will happen and we're anxious to turn up the wick again in the new year.

"We haven't really lost anything yet as it has still only been a few weeks. Everything is in place although we have had to turn down various programmes.

"We have enough funding to get us through to Melbourne and we still have a competitive package," he added.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in