According to the popular F1 news site and offer of around US$100 million was made for the team, in a move that has been described by many media outlets as "serious".

"The offer is a very serious one," a spokesperson for the team said to F1Racing.net, "and Mr. Shnaider is considering whether to sell the team or not. A decision could be made as early as next week, although there is no deadline."

It didn't take long for someone to ask on our forum whether the offer should be accepted or not. Miguelindurain started the thread late on Tuesday evening, and started the bidding with a no.

The next 6 votes were also a no, but with comments like "I wanna see the team grow" from CRX and "Because I think an F1 team must be stable..." from Claust.

Nordika was in something of a fix over deciding how to vote. "If Midland is sold to an adventurer who thinks he knows more than Schneider while actually simply bringing more ego than know-how, I vote for No.

"If Midland is sold to someone who can invest more and/or manage the scarse resources of the team in a more appropriate fashion (and I am not criticising either Schneider or Kolles, I am just saying perhaps Carlin or Jordan would know better), perhaps I would vote for Yes. I agree that it is unlikely that anyone would invest more this season, unless a change of name or at least a significant change of 'sponsorship room' in the car was possible."

Rui Rodrigues was very firm with his response. "Hope not... this Dutch consortium they know nothing about racing, it's just a bunch of more 'shnaiders'... for that let's keep the original 'shnaider' "

Gunman was equally undecided. "If the buyer is a car company, yes. If not, no."

Mastermib supports the idea of the Dutch consortium becoming a major partner in the team. "I don't agree with selling 100% shares. Perhaps if they bought like 40-49 %, and increased the teams funds it was OK. Like Gunman, I would agree if it was a big motorsport company."

That made 9 voting for no up to now.

Despite the team pumping out all kinds of positive news, and Alex regretting in a newspaper interview about his comment about selling the team if the right offer was made there are still those out there the don't beleive in the Midland way.

"Yes," says Go-Jordan. "The whole midland project has not been a succes, the aim of Shnaider from the begining was to sell the team and make a nice tidy profit. He employed Kolles to keep costs down, he had no intention to make a real go of it, but if it is to be bought by Lost Boys I hope they do not draft in all the Dutch drivers possible and give all kinds of drivers, no matter where they are from, a go." Maxoverdrive agreed with him.

This made the score No 9:2 Yes.

"I vote NO!" Stated Gailen. "Why swap one investment for another? Everyone is accusing Mr Shnaider of only being in it for the money but what about Lost Boys? You tell me they are going to put up150million and future invest funds for FUN!!! I dont think so!

"Every outing has shown some kind of improvement. The car is becoming more competetive and the lap times are coming down dramatically. Leave things as they are!"

Nannini made problably the strongest comment so far in favour of Alex retaining his ownership of the team. "What we're seing is a low budget team making really great progress. It's like a Jordan stuff... a good omolete with less eggs..." Very well said.

Score now No 11:2 Yes.

Two more no votes from Kalibr and Jordan1000 (and me) take the score to No 14:2 Yes.

A resounding "YES!!! IT SHOULD BE SOLD, MORE INVESTMENT THE BETTER!!!!!!", and a more level headed "I'd say a big NO also because the team haven't shown it's potential yet and I believe it will; MF1 just needs time for it," take the score to No 15:3 Yes.

A further no from IndyAndy makes it No 16:3 Yes, with 2 Depends tagging along for good measure.

Despite the views of the fans, news has also broken today of an article in the Portuguese press claiming that Alex Shnaider has been quoted as saying that he doesn't want to sell the team. In addition, have you seen the latest news item on the MidlandF1 website recently - the team are still recruiting, not the sign of a company about to be sold me thinks...

If you have a view on this then have your say on the thread here.

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