....and today's rumour; Ron Dennis to buy Manor

[Monty]

I have seen several reports suggesting that Ron's Chinese investors will support him to purchase Manor.
Stranger things have happened!
A fired-up Ron Dennis with lots of cash in his pocket could be a real threat.
I understand that he is still well liked by Honda and Mercedes so getting a good engine shouldn't be a problem.
Interesting times!

[guest3164]

Nooo, he fell out with Mercedes, they dislike him immensely from what I am aware!  But Honda I think are okay and would like to have a second team in 2018 so that could work.  I would love to see Ron back and with a new team.  The added 'edge' of seeing him take on McLaren would be fascinating too.

[Scott]

I don't know if Ron starting over at his age is a great idea.  I'm not so sure why he doesn't just find a fun hobby (buy a Caterham or something  ) and just enjoy life without F1.

But if it is going to happen no matter what, then Chinese backing and Ron running the show should secure Manor's future for years to come.  It will be interesting to watch him build the team.  He might be better off buying Force India, and even if they aren't technically on the market, I think they would be for sale if the price was right, and they are much farther up the grid.

[cosworth151]

I've also read rumors of the Indonesian branch of Kentucky Fried Chicken being interested in Manor. Another rumor says Tavo Helmund, the man behind the Mexican F1 & the Austin race.

[guest3164]

I've heard that GPWizard are interested in purchasing the team and next year's Grid Game prize will be Team Principal.  Runner up prize Chief Engineer and 3rd place will be designated 3rd driver (Subject to Super License criteria being fulfilled).   

[Steve A.]

I don't like Dennis but this would be great for the team,  and for the grid. Very interesting to watch development.

[Alianora La Canta]

I heard that Ron was interested until Sauber took Manor out of the top 10 in Brazil, and that things got quiet after that. Then again, 4 different entities are rumoured to be considering Manor (one led by Graeme Lowdon, two consortiums - one Chinese, one from various places that may or may not be the new Qadbak, and the Dennis loyalist faction).

[ChrisCurtis]

I've not heard this, but I really hope it's true. I was a McLaren fan for many years and whatever you think of Ron, he deserves a better swansong than the one the McLaren board gave him.

That said, times have changed. Teams these days seem to need a management team to thrive rather a single boss. A team at the back of the grid however could really benefit from the old school foundations Ron could put in place.

[John S]

I've been hearing that all this talk of Ron investing in Manor pre-dates his ousting at Macca. This seems to make more sense if you factor in Honda's stated aim of supplying another team by 2018.

Ron would not want to give up his factory team status with Honda so by controlling a second string team could make sure that the other engine user did not have the ability long term to out perform Macca. He'd be following the Red Bull - Torro Rosso model, starve the 2nd team of full potential by limiting funds and pinch any top driver that emerges.