The holding company that owns Ligue 2 side RC Lens was placed into administration on Wednesday by the Paris Commerce Tribunal, “after a declaration of the suspension of payments by club President Gervais Martel.” During a morning hearing, the Tribunal “maintained the bid to purchase the club” by Ivorian businessman Charles-Kader Gooré. Perspective buyers “now have eight days to submit offers for the club.” The Tribunal will announce its decision of the new owner on May 17 (L’ÉQUIPE, 5/4).
LATE PAY: The Sauber Formula 1 team has "failed to pay its staff salaries on time for the third successive month." Cashflow problems meant February and March salaries "were paid around a week late." The situation has "repeated itself for the month of April but Sauber hopes a solution will be found to ensure all employees are paid." The team is "struggling financially" with Team Principal Monisha Kaltenborn "working hard to find new sponsors to boost its budget" (EUROSPORT, 5/5).
The punishment has been "swift and lethal" for Danil Kvyat, but the promotion "rapid and sensational" for the 18-year-old Max Verstappen. Red Bull announced the two drivers "will be swapped from next week’s Spanish Grand Prix, with Kvyat paying the ultimate price" for "destroying" Red Bull’s Russian Grand Prix by being dropped to Toro Ross, the junior team. Kvyat was called to Red Bull’s Milton Keynes HQ to "explain how he managed to hit the back of Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari" on the first lap last Sunday, pushing the German into his teammate Daniel Ricciardo. Some insiders "among the F1 fraternity were astounded at the rapid sacking, just three days after the race in Russia." Kvyat had scored a "handsome third place -- Red Bull’s highest placing of the season -- the race before, in China" (LONDON TIMES, 5/5).
