Having been booted from McLaren at the end of the year, Ron Dennis could be making a return to the sport in the near future. The British businessman has recently been linked to a Manor buyout, as the current owner looks to unload to the highest bidder.
The team’s current owner, Stephen Fitzpatrick, has reportedly been looking to recover some of the money which he had previously invested in the team by selling it to a new owner. The OVO Energy founder auctioned off some of the previous Marussia assets to repay debts and has invested roughly €35.5m of his personal money in 2015 to improve the team. However, with the team finishing last in the World Constructors’ Championship, a position which pays no financial reward, it is believed that Fitzpatrick will be bailing on the team and handing over the keys to a new owner.
Until recently, Tavo Hellmund, a former racing driver and race promoter, has been heavily linking to purchasing the team. Speculation of a Hellmund takeover branch all of the way back to the end of 2015. However, the deal has not advanced and other parties have been linked to the takeover.
Among these groups is Ron Dennis. Dennis has connections with Dave Ryan, the team’s current racing director. Ryan has worked with McLaren in the past, starting the ‘70s and having worked for the team for decades before leaving to setup his own racing team in another racing series. With a net worth in excess of €800m, Dennis would have more than enough money to help fund the venture and has the skills to improve Manor.
Former Manor Racing CEO, Graeme Lowdon, and Indonesian businessman, Ricardo Gelael, have also been named as potential candidates to purchase the team. Gelael is already involved with motorsport, sponsoring Ferrari’s newest reserve driver, Antonio Giovinazzi. Selling the team to him would likely see Sean Galeal, his son, appointed as a driver on the team.
The Manor F1 Team has not yet commented on the rumors of a purchase and are unlikely to do so until a deal is completed. At the current time, it is unknown who, where or even if a deal will be completed.
Ron Dennis Fighting For Future With McLaren
Manor Future In Doubt Once Again
