Sauber is on the brink of being taken over by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll according to reports in the Monza paddock over the weekend.
The team is in need of investment after a disappointing season and a collapsed financial deal with a group of Russian investors.
Stroll, who made his fortune in the fashion industry, was linked with the purchase of a stake in the sport itself, but it’s now apparent that he is looking to invest in a team and talks with Sauber have recently taken place.
Stroll has strong links with Sauber’s engine supplier Ferrari. He has an expansive collection of Ferrari cars – he recently paid £17 million ($27.5m) for Ferrari 275 GTB – and his son, Lance, is a member of Ferrari’s Driver Academy.
Stroll also lives in Switzerland, not far from Sauber’s Hinwil base and owns the Mont Tremblant circuit in Canada.
The deal would come at a crucial time for Sauber which is yet to score a point all season and requires major investment to get back on track. It also comes amid a difficult time for F1 when several outfits are struggling amidst rumours 2015 might feature just eight teams.
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