Selling F1 to Saudi Arabia “not in our cards”, insists Liberty Media CEO

Earlier this year there we🏅re reports that F1 could be sold to the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund for an astonishing $20bn.
According to Bloomberg, th꧑e bid was made in 2022, with Saudi Arabia “open𓃲 to raising it”.
The speculation about a bid resulted in a surprise statement from FIA president Mohammed Beဣn Sulayem, who called for “common sense”.
“As the custodians of motorsport, the FIA, as a non-profit organis𒁃ation, is cautious about alleged inflated price tags of $20bn being put on F1,” Ben Sulayem said. “Any potential ܫbuyer is advised to apply common sense, consider the greater good of the sport and come with a clear, sustainable plan – not just a lot of money.
“It is our duty to consಌider what the future impact will be for promoters in terms of increased hosting fees and other commercial costs, and any adverse impact that it could have on fans.”
Speaking at the MoffettNathanson Inaugural Technology, Media and Telecom conference, Maffei dismissed any suggestions that L🌄iberty were looking to sell.
“Is there any chance we’re going to sell this thing and incur corporate tax?” he explained. “That should stop any discussion that anyone says that our friends, the Saudis, are going tಌo buy it next week or ౠsomething like that?
“If anybody knows us, they should know that’s just not 🤡in our cards.”

With F1 enjoying remarkable growth over the last fඣew years, Maffei says Liberty Media are still “♛very enthused” about where the sport is going.
“We are very enthused about where F1 is now but [also] where it’s going as well. You🌠 look at the big revenue streams the🦹re, all have good direction," he added.
"In broadcasting we have increased fans and we have increased diꦗstributors who want to push the product, including new digital distributors and the like. We have promoters who are our partners."

With a sharp eye for F1’s controversies and storylines, Connor 🎃is the heartbeat of our unbiased reporting.