OCTOBER 13, 2000
BAR refute Honda takeover and internal wrangle stories
BAR were reported to be on the verge of being taken over by Japanese engine company Honda earlier this week.
At the same time a story appeared in a motor racing magazine suggesting that eight BAR senior staff were plotting to oust the team's managing director Craig Pollock.
The magazine made the allegations after being sent a letter anonymously that appeared to show a coup against Pollock. People like Barry Green, who has been tipped to replace Pollock this season, technical director Malcolm Oastler and managing director Adrian Reynard were amongst the names in the letter and were categorized as part of a "buyout team."
However, BAR have "categorically rejected the two reports".
BAR's chief operating officer Ian Ross said in the statement: "Neither the shareholders, directors, nor senior managers of BAR have any knowledge of a desire on the part of Honda to purchase the team and they have certainly not discussed such a plan with us.
"As for the article that a number of senior BAR staff are involved in a scheme to purchase the team, I can confirm that none of the current team personnel named in the story have agreed to support any such move.
"While these stories may be destructive in nature, they will not deflect the team's clear focus on attempting to secure fourth place in the constructors' championship at next weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix."