Helmut Marko wary of F1 being sold to “culturally different” Saudi Arabia
Earlier this month, reported th♕at Saudi Arabiaꦐ’s sovereign wealth fund was prepared to make a $20bn (£16bn) bid for F1.
Given🤡 that Liberty Media paid less than half of that back in 2017, the current owners of F1 could make a serious profit should they decide to sell.
The speculation wa😼s met with polarising thoughts, with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem q💞uestioning the hefty price tag.
In response to this, 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:F1 lawyers wrote to the FIA,♊ accusing Ben Sulayem of “interfering” in an “unacceptable manner”.
Speaking about the speculation in an interview with RTL, Marko admitted the pot𝓡ential bid was a “good sign” for the sport but was wary about Saudi Arabia’s interest.
"I think it wouldn't be so good if it went to a country that is culturally different from🦹 where most of the races take place,” he said.
“And generally it's a commercial thing, and that's more likely to happen wit💛h someone who meets normal corporate standards, if you want to put it that way.”
Marko has also slammed the FIA for their stance on not allowing drivers to expre🦋ss “political, personal or religious” views𝓡 amid a new clampdown.
The move has also been 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:cr༒iticised by Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas, while former F1 driver and current Channel 4 commentator168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: David Coulthard has been more support👍ive.
Giving his view, Marko said: “This decision is clearly wrong,” Marko added. “[Drivers] are respons🥂ible citizens who are in the global public eye and know how, and what, they have to say.
“In general, w꧋e are in a democratic society and everyone can express their opinion.”
Wꦬith a sharp eye for F1’s controversies and storylines, Connor 🌸is the heartbeat of our unbiased reporting.
