Formula One news

Berger sees funny side of sale rumours

Major shareholder Gerhard Berger has said that he brushes off perpetual speculation that the Toro Rosso team is to be sold. The Faenza-based team is part owned by the former grand prix driver and by Red Bull but rumours persist that the two parties are looking to sell their respective shares. However, the former Ferrari and Benetton driver says that these claims are unfounded.

Berger told autosport.com: "I am not so sure it is annoying any more, although for a while I thought so. Now, it is in one way funny, how we are able to produce every weekend a new headline. Maybe it is good for us to be talked about. But sometimes I am just wondering where these stories come from."

Nicolas Todt, the son of Ferrari team principal Jean Todt and manager of part-time Toro Rosso test-driver Sebastien Bourdais, was allegedly in talks with Berger about a possible takeover. Speculation further suggested that Nicolas Todt would run the outfit as a junior Ferrari team so that Ferrari could have more scope for development. Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn are other names to be linked with the possible move.

Berger added: "Every weekend I am selling, and I have just heard that now next year we will be racing a Ferrari chassis, engine and gearbox. That is a new one! I never talked one word with Nicolas Todt about selling shares, and never talked with Michael. I would be surprised if Ross Brawn comes here. As far as I know he is going back to Ferrari, and never once did I speak to Ross.

"I don't want to sell any shares, and I don't think Red Bull want to sell any shares. What we want is always to get the team technically forward. And what is more than welcome is a good sponsor - that is all fine for us. But there is no selling agenda."

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