14/08/2007
NEWS STORY
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With speculation over the future of the Spyker F1 team already (quietly) mounting, today comes news that team owner Spyker Cars NV is looking to sell all or part of the troubled Silverstone-based outfit.
In a statement issued by Spyker Cars NV today (Tuesday), the Dutch car manufacturer admits that "negative publicity" regarding its financial status and future prospects had caused the company to look at “various options”.
"Of the various refinancing scenarios being considered, the (partial) sale of the Spyker Formula One Team is one possibility," said Spyker Cars NV in the statement. The Dutch company admitted that it is considering a number of unsolicited offers. It is also understood that Michiel Mol is considering buying the team, though this would mean stepping down as CEO of Spyker Cars NV.
Spyker is, in effect, the latest incarnation of the Jordan team, which was bought by Canadian Alex Shnaider at the beginning of the 2005 season, renaming the team in 2006, before selling it on to Spyker in September.
Spyker's purchase of the team was in four instalments with the next instalment (23m euros) due on September 20.
It is believed that Colin Kolles position as team boss at Spyker was part of the deal, effectively he keeps an eye on things for Shnaider.
The team recently dumped Christijan Albers, though it is thought the Dutch driver could still mount a legal challenge following claims that though the team says his sponsorship money was not forthcoming he had paid the majority of a 10m euro two-year deal. The Dutchman claims that although there were “problems” with the financing, it should not have affected his seat this year.