Honda rejected Bernie Ecclestone’s help

Bernie Ecclestone claims that Honda Racing rejected his financial offer proposal for the team’s management.

According to the News of the World, Ecclestone approached team bosses Nick Fry and Ross Brawn for help, but they declined the offer.

The newspaper claims that Ecclestone offered 100 million pounds (more than 111 million euros) to the team, with Fry and Brown each retaining a 17.5% stake under his plan.

« I tried to help them in managing the team, » said the F1’s chief financial officer.

« They should have taken what I proposed. It was a very good offer for everyone. It gave them complete protection, but they wanted to do things on their own. Now, all we can do is hope and pray for them. »

Earlier this week, Ecclestone explained that Virgin with its owner Richard Branson was now the only alternative for managing the team.

« I don’t think anyone really knows where Honda is today.

« The team has three options: My solution, sell to Richard Branson, or simply stop everything. »

Ecclestone added that one of his main reasons for wanting Honda to survive is the potential presence of Bruno Senna in the second race seat alongside Jenson Button.

« We want to see Bruno drive. It would be fantastic for everyone to have the name Senna in F1, » he continued.

Finally, he does not believe that the sport would suffer from the complete disappearance of Honda Racing: « If we lost McLaren or Ferrari or BMW, people would really wonder what is happening. But I don’t think that’s the case with Honda. The team didn’t shine too much last year. »