Post by blacktulip on Nov 4, 2012 11:15:00 GMT
as reported 
Media mogul James Murdoch has flown into Abu Dhabi for top-secret talks today that could spark a Formula One revolution.
The Sky executive will hold meetings in the paddock with leading figures from McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull.
Rupert Murdoch, James' tycoon father, has an interest in Grand Prix due to Sky Sports’ lavish subscription channel dedicated to the sport.
And now he is eyeing a bigger slice of a £9billion global franchise.
Sky have been looking to break into many different areas of the world – such as India – where F1 held only its second Grand Prix just weeks ago.
Buying into Formula One would also open the door to the Murdochs’ dismantling one of the key foundations of the sport – coverage by terrestrial television worldwide.
That could spell the end of BBC’s relationship with the sport and would be bad news for F1 fans who rely on free-to-air channels.
Speculation has intensified because Murdoch’s arrival coincides with a rare appearance in the paddock of reclusive Frenchman Jean Todt, the head of rule-makers FIA.
The visit was shrouded in mystery with most of the paddock, including many team bosses, unaware the media kingpin was arriving.
When asked whether the future of the entire sport could be on the agenda, one key paddock figure, who knew of the planned meetings, said: “Why not?”
Empire founder Rupert Murdoch was linked with a move to buy the sport two years ago and kingpin Bernie Ecclestone’s joking response was “Well, he better have a bloody big offer.”
Media mogul James Murdoch has flown into Abu Dhabi for top-secret talks today that could spark a Formula One revolution.
The Sky executive will hold meetings in the paddock with leading figures from McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull.
Rupert Murdoch, James' tycoon father, has an interest in Grand Prix due to Sky Sports’ lavish subscription channel dedicated to the sport.
And now he is eyeing a bigger slice of a £9billion global franchise.
Sky have been looking to break into many different areas of the world – such as India – where F1 held only its second Grand Prix just weeks ago.
Buying into Formula One would also open the door to the Murdochs’ dismantling one of the key foundations of the sport – coverage by terrestrial television worldwide.
That could spell the end of BBC’s relationship with the sport and would be bad news for F1 fans who rely on free-to-air channels.
Speculation has intensified because Murdoch’s arrival coincides with a rare appearance in the paddock of reclusive Frenchman Jean Todt, the head of rule-makers FIA.
The visit was shrouded in mystery with most of the paddock, including many team bosses, unaware the media kingpin was arriving.
When asked whether the future of the entire sport could be on the agenda, one key paddock figure, who knew of the planned meetings, said: “Why not?”
Empire founder Rupert Murdoch was linked with a move to buy the sport two years ago and kingpin Bernie Ecclestone’s joking response was “Well, he better have a bloody big offer.”