The story of News Corporation’s interest in F1 took another turn tonight when the company confirmed its intentions to explore a possible co-operation with Exor, the investment company in which the Agnelli family has a majority stake.
Exor owns stakes in Fiat and the Juventus football team, and is run by Fiat boss John Elkann.
A vaguely worded statement tonight said: “EXOR, one of Europe’s largest listed investment companies, and News Corporation, the global media group, confirm that they are in the early stages of exploring the possibility of creating a consortium with a view to formulating a long‐term plan for the development of Formula One in the interests of the participants and the fans.
“Over the coming weeks and months, EXOR and News Corporation will approach potential minority partners and key stakeholders in the sport. There can be no certainty that this will lead to an approach to Formula One’s current owners.”
There was no mention of Carlos Slim but he is thought to be a potential partner in the deal.
Adam Cooper F1 
The PR campaign has already started, I see. Though how much ‘the fans’ really count is a moot point; personally I would hate to see F1 go to a subscription channel or pay-per-view. This includes the (Finnish?) model of a delayed free transmission.
NB I’m in the UK where it’s live and free to air.
Is Ferrari THAT upset about the new engine regs coming in 2013, that the boss of the company that owns Ferrari, is considering buying F1 entirely?
I smell shenanigans. 🙂
Slowflow
Massive possibility of conflict of interest. What next – Roman Abramovitch to buy into the Premier League?
Why is everybody so sure F1 will become ‘Pay-Per-View’?
I see a veto by Jean Todt and the FiA.
Ferrari buys F1. Smart move.