F1- changes

[nopanic - neil]

Just heard there is a split - more to see - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8108488.stm

Formula One Teams' Association to set up a rival F1 championship.

New series 2010 -

[Lazy B'stard]

Smoke and mirrors. Anyone read old Luca's comments about Le Mans and Ferarri in the French papers at the weekend? Its just politics, normal service will be resumed shortly.

Si

[Rhino]

I hope F1 continues. Imagine if they all raced at Le Mans, the ticket price would rocket and the campsites would be hospitality areas.

[nopanic - neil]

If it does happen,

1)  does that mean Max Mosley will be looking for a new job, of even signing on - will he get job seekers allowance ?

2) Bernie Ecclestone, will be sueing everyone, as he has lost his cash cow! - We already know that Bernie Ecclestone has threatened to sue Ferrari if they try to leave F1.

It could be fun -

or as Dr S - just lots and lots of smoke! and no fire.

[Nordic]

If it does happen,

1)  does that mean Max Mosley will be looking for a new job, of even signing on - will he get job seekers allowance ?

2) Bernie Ecclestone, will be sueing everyone, as he has lost his cash cow! - We already know that Bernie Ecclestone has threatened to sue Ferrari if they try to leave F1.

It could be fun -

or as Dr S - just lots and lots of smoke! and no fire.

Berine may be a big fish, but the Agnelli family are bigger and have more money.


As Dr s has already said, its all bravado at the moment, however unless someone backs down there is a danger it will implode as happened in the USA and the shambles that resulted in 2 rival series did not resolve its self for many years leaving both weakened to the point of collapse.

[Christopher]

The similarities between this and the USA are not that great.

The main difference is that all the established teams and drivers are with FOTA. There are plenty of circuits that Bernie has dropped who will be happy to support the new series, and I supsect those that are still signed with the FIA will be looking for a way out once they see the diminshed appeal for fans of the FIA sanctioned series.

It would not surprise me if the 'new' teams that Max and Bernie did not select for 2010 (i.e. Pordrive and Lola, et al) don't soon side with FOTA. And bingo, a ready made championship, just without the title of F1, but more importantly not having to support the commercial rights holder's enormous debt.

Simple really........

[Barry]

 There are plenty of circuits that Bernie has dropped who will be happy to support the new series, and I supsect those that are still signed with the FIA will be looking for a way out once they see the diminshed appeal for fans of the FIA sanctioned series.

So it will be back to Silverstone next year?

[Nordic]

The problem is that its the FIA that provides the lience for tracks to operate.

If you piss them off and support the FOTA series then you track lience could become harder to get in the future, you may even have to install a couple of chicanes on your main straight!

[landman]

Interesting comment on Lola.

Seem to remember Martin Birrane spending quite a bit of time on RLM on Sunday discussing his surprise at receiving a letter on Friday from the FIA stating "thanks, but no thanks".  That's with him having a car almost ready to go.

Then on Tuesday he had a meeting with the FIA, followed by a withdrawal of his bid on Wednesday.

I think that Lola/AM [?] are siding with FOTA.

[Lazy B'stard]

The main difference between what happened in the US is that the sum of the players were greater than the series- not so in F1. It won't happen.

Anyway, word on the street has it that a certain Maximillion Mosely will be holding a press conference at 11am next Wednesday to announce his intention to step down as el presidente in October 2009 when his current contract expires.

Who next? Big Ron??

You heard it here first

Si

[Lorry]

Smoke and mirrors. Anyone read old Luca's comments about Le Mans and Ferarri in the French papers at the weekend? Its just politics, normal service will be resumed shortly.

I think its a bit more than that.  This budget thing has hit a nerve, and the solution is to cut the dwarf out of the budget, and get rid of Spanky whilst they're at it.

It will probably end in an amicable settlement, as the FIA can't afford to lose F1, but they can afford to lose Max and Bernie, and if thats the price they have to pay, this is going to be fun.

[Lazy B'stard]

I don't think that Bernie will be going for a while yet- far too shrewd to allow himself to be stopped at the door. But Max will be going very soon. The teams have been subject to his dictatorship for too long- this is what troubles them, not the money side of things. When Max goes the teams will have an opportunity to have more say in what goes on- its what they want. By the end of summer all will be hunky dory again.

Don't forget that Bernies power will be weakened by the departure of Max, this plays right into the hands of the teams.

Si

[nopanic - neil]

So Si, what you are saying is F1 is looking for a scape goat!, and Max looks like he could be carrying the can.

or when the sh*t hit's the fan, Max has been posistioned to stand next to it! (or even better - in front of it!!!)

[Lazy B'stard]

Max's days were always numbered the day he got caught in that hotel room. It was just a matter of time until he became useful again in the eyes of the FIA- his departure will be the glue that holds the show together.
 The teams have for once got things right. When Max was weakened last year they took the opportunity to strike. Max's response has been to allow the diffuser row to rumble on in an effort to set the teams against each other and weaken FOTA's unity. Some team bosses almost fell for it and could not see beyond the end of their noses, thankfully the majority kept schtum and continued with the master plan.

Si

[Christopher]

The main difference between what happened in the US is that the sum of the players were greater than the series- not so in F1. It won't happen.

Anyway, word on the street has it that a certain Maximillion Mosely will be holding a press conference at 11am next Wednesday to announce his intention to step down as el presidente in October 2009 when his current contract expires.

Who next? Big Ron??

You heard it here first

Si

Max is not rumoured to be stepping down until later this year, and even that is not a promise.

So what do the FOTA and new teams do in the meantime?

The regs and rules need to be confirmed soon so that cars for 2010 can start to be planned. With Max still incharge and the current blockage on a possible solution, next year's field of cars is going to be a right mis-match.