In the round-up: An energy drinks producer is the latest company to be linked to a takeover of Force India.
Links
Your daily digest of F1 news, views, features and more from hundreds of sites across the web:
British energy drinks company in talks to buy Force India in deal worth around £200m (Daily Mail)
"Rich Energy - whose shareholders include former Newcastle and England midfielder Rob Lee, who is also a company ambassador - was founded by its chief executive William Storey."
"The team said the car would be fine for its first run around the Circuit de Catalunya on Monday."
Norris: F1's next phenomenon (Motorsport magazine)
"IndyCar is something I would want to do. It depends on McLaren, if they think it is a good idea to go and do it in year two. It could help me develop, it’s a big car and fast, but it’s very different to F1."
Petrobras signs technical partnership with McLaren and returns to Formula One (McLaren)
"The Petrobras brand will be displayed on the team’s cars, uniforms and physical facilities."
The Night Shift McLaren MCL33 Car Launch Tease (McLaren via YouTube)
Williams appoint new Chief Engineer (F1)
"Williams have moved to strengthen their F1 technical team with the appointment of Doug McKiernan as Chief Engineer."
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Comment of the day
Are ‘online launches’ a waste of time?
What is the point of these online launches?
We don’t get to see the real car – and given the relative simplicity of the Renault compared to other designs that have already been launched I wouldn’t be surprised if the car we see at Barcelona is quite a bit different from this. For example the whole barge board area looks more or less the same as it was at the end of last season.
Goil
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OmarRoncal - Go Seb!!! (@)
21st February 2018, 0:15
So, is Ron Dennis a night guard now?
Jere (@jerejj)
21st February 2018, 7:00
@omarr-pepper That was my initial reaction as well when I first saw the video thumbnail on a different website where it’s a bit different than here, LOL.
Asanator (@asanator)
21st February 2018, 11:07
+1 LOL
Miane
21st February 2018, 1:14
Seeing that Petrobras signed with Mclaren pretty much confirms that if Camara beats Norris I’m pretty sure that a seat will be his. But that is unlikely. It would make more sense for Petrobras to sign FI if they want to bring a brazilian to drive with their brand. Sooner or later Perez and Ocon will move on.
Christopher Bowers (@darkstar)
21st February 2018, 1:17
Love the McLaren teaser. I can’t wait to see the car.
MrBoerns (@mrboerns)
21st February 2018, 1:39
@darkstar this must be the most overblown failure since new coke right?
Exediron (@exediron)
21st February 2018, 1:45
… What?
juan fanger (@juan-fanger)
21st February 2018, 8:05
Well we can now confirm it will be orange.
Asanator (@asanator)
21st February 2018, 11:08
Oh good! They will do anything to try and make it look even more like a Ferrari in the distance!
MrBoerns (@mrboerns)
21st February 2018, 12:58
You can tell them apart by the puffs of smoke from the Renault
erikje
21st February 2018, 17:08
Different oil mixtures results in different puf color you mean ;)
Raveendhana
21st February 2018, 1:37
I would be happy that some stable company can buy force India, this is a good team that should not fall by the way side.
Egonovi
21st February 2018, 8:32
Then not this one.
I wouldn’t call the n-th Red Bull mimicking wannabe drinks start-up a stable company. Probably as stable as the previous owners (Dutch loss leading super car dream).
MrBoerns (@mrboerns)
21st February 2018, 1:41
I noticed something about that Sauber
socksolid (@socksolid)
21st February 2018, 2:40
Can not unsee :(
TEDBELL
21st February 2018, 1:53
Nice bit from McLaren
Humor and Heritage
2018 starts a new campaign
Hope it reflects a heritage too
Joshj81
21st February 2018, 3:30
A lot orange in that video!!!
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
21st February 2018, 7:09
A few months ago it was almost certain a Chinese owner would be found for Force India. It was also certain that a name change would happen (still might tbf, haven’t launched). All this uncertainty isn’t good, but for the team, having a less problematic owner and more money/security would definitely be good.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
21st February 2018, 8:54
@hahostolze
That wasn’t the case the last we heard on the matter.
BasCB (@bascb)
21st February 2018, 9:17
From all of it, the only thing that really seems to be a certainty @hahostolze, is that FI is on the market and want’s to find someone to take over. And probably that no deal is quite completed with anyone yet.
Egonovi
21st February 2018, 8:41
Amizing statbit. That would make it more British teams than British drivers, and more than Quality F1 websites with British domain.
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
21st February 2018, 11:52
Love this time of year. Cars being introduced, loads of speculation, pictures being airbrushed to try and hide innovations… https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/formel-1/red-bull-manipuliert-rb14-fotos-retuschen-photoshop-6183803.html
Gary
21st February 2018, 12:10
Rich Energy is a company with net working capital of £1,924.00 Yes, far less than in my checking account.
This is a company with £1.8 million of “assets”, almost all of which are intangibles. What do they claim has such intangible value, the brand “Rich Energy”, which nobody has heard of?
This is a company whose tangible shareholder equity is -£1,360,641.00 … yes that’s a negative-sign
Can we get real please.
Rich Energy Balance Sheet
FIXED ASSETS
Intangible assets 1,772,808
Tangible assets 3,719
Total 1,776,527
CURRENT ASSETS
Stocks 7,800
Debtors 443,478
Cash at bank 103
Total 451,381
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year (449,457 )
NET CURRENT ASSETS 1,924
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,778,451
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due after more than one year (1,366,284 )
NET ASSETS 412,167
CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Called up share capital 50
Profit and loss account 412,117
SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS 412,167
Louie
21st February 2018, 18:06
I visit this website during lunch to get away from balance sheets.
Shimks (@shimks)
21st February 2018, 12:38
Petrobras another huge win for McLaren after the Dell announcement. Their future is looking brighter.
Don
21st February 2018, 15:36
I’d love to see Lando in IndyCar! Lots of really good drivers. We’d find out how good he really is in a hurry.