Benetton in Ford buy-out link

(6-Oct-98) - Benetton boss David Richards has played down claims that Ford
is planning to buy the team.

Ford is said to be looking at Benetton because it is growing impatient with
the level of performance of its works Stewart team.

Sources say that the US giant's attempts to buy Benetton have been revived
after an earlier bid foundered this summer. But Richards said:
"There's certainly no current discussions of that ilk."

Rumour suggests that the Benetton family was not keen on the plan, and
would prefer to wait for Renault to return to F1. However, there are
suggestions that the Benettons may now have approved a Ford link-up.

"I've made no secret of the fact that we need a partnership with an
engine manufacturer, and there aren't an awful lot of manufacturers in a
position to potentially join forces with us." said Richards.

"We've got a great asset here. It's not something we're going to
under-sell, nor maybe even sell at all for that matter - the Benettons have
their own view on this and I don't make the ultimate decision. Their
historic relationship with Renault leads you to believe that Renault is the
first choice."

Rumours say the issue is dividing Benetton and Richards, who has been
linked with a move to take over the running of Stewart.

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