Following widespread speculation at Spa-Francorchamps about possible bids for a majority slice of Formula 1's commercial rights, various parties, including F1 tsar Bernie Ecclestone, indicated to Autosport at Monza that a multi-stage deal for control of commercial rights holder Formula One Management was imminent - with the first transaction possibly completed by the end of this week.
More intriguing were suggestions from sources close to the 85-year-old that he reckoned the Italian Grand Prix could mark his last official appearance at an F1 race, with American cable TV broadcasting executive Chase Carey (61) slated to slide into motorsport's hottest seat in time for the Singapore night race. Whether this all pans out only time will tell, but clearly F1's commercial potential is being duly and diligently examined.
Until June Carey was COO of News Corporation subsidiary 20th Century Fox, but he recently stepped up to the position of executive vice president - and is seeking bigger fish to fry. News Corp is a partner to 'cable king' John Mallone in his Liberty Media company, said to be the prime bidder for eventual control of F1's rights - putting the impressively moustached Carey on pole for F1's CEO job (or even chairman).