OCTOBER 13, 2000
European car manufacturers step-up Formula One interest
Ecclestone sold 50 per cent of his SLEC Formula One company, which controls the commercial rights of the sport, to German media company EM.TV in March this year for £1.3 billion (pounds).
The car manufacturers, reported to include Ferrari, DaimlerChrysler, Ford and Renault, have written to both parties with the expressed interest of investing in Grand Prix racing.
Ecclestone stated last month that he is not prepared to sell his share in SLEC, but EM.TV it is reported are ready to open discussions with the car manufacturers.
EM.TV's own shares have slumped since their investment in SLEC and with the car manufacturers keen to secure their future in the sport they could be tempted to negotiate.