inpitlane.com | Tag Archive | Bernie Ecclestone

F1: PINNACLE OR RIDICULE ?

Thursday, March 25, 2010

The Formula 1 circus has once again returned to Melbourne for the annual Australian Grand. Amidst the controversy of the processional previous race of Bahrain as well as the poor organization and lack of performance of the new teams, I’m thankful that I am no longer a fan to what is supposed to be the pinnacle of motor racing. Unlike previous years when I was living and breathing Formula 1, where I would be literally stalking drivers and know first hand when and where they will make appearances. I no longer have any feelings for any of this; and given how poorly Formula 1 at large continues to treat its fans, I would not at all be surprised if a queue of dissatisfied former Formula 1 fans forms behind me from all over the world. I am at a loss to understand a sport which requires a “working group” to encourage and manufacture an on track action called “overtaking”. It is beyond ridiculous that such a basic action of the sport has to be encouraged or manufactured by a committee for it to actually happen in the arena. Matters are not helped either by today’s Formula 1 drivers.

THE FORMULA THAT CAN NOT BE CURED

Sunday, September 20, 2009

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With the latest scandal in Formula 1 involving race fixing claims splattered in all manners of media, I certainly was glad I’m no longer a Formula 1 fan. I very definitely do not want to be associated with those scammers, liars, cheats, nor any of the like-minded ego-maniacs that populate this field. However, I find it very disturbing the sort of level Formula 1 as a brand image and its integrity has sunk towards with scandal after scandal within and beyond the last ten years of its existence. If you’re still interested in this sport or entertainment, or whatever you’d like to call it. I’m sure you’d be asking when any of this will ever stop, so you can get to enjoy your Formula 1 racing again. Having watched and studied the field for almost 20 years, I really don’t like the prospects of any of these huge egos with limitless pockets being put in their place and coming to terms that honesty, sportsmanship and values are not just merely words in press releases and sponsorship proposals.

MELBOURNE TO LOSE F1 OPENING RACE ?

Friday, August 28, 2009

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Melbourne's traditional place as the opening round of the World Formula One Championship may be under threat with Bahrain rumoured to replace the Victorian capital as the season opener. According to SpeedTV.com & Autosport, team bosses have been shown a provisional calendar for 2010 in which Melbourne becomes the second round of the season. Melbourne GP boss Ron Walker has always put great value on Melbourne opening the season, often claiming his "special" relationship with Bernie Ecclestone would ensure the Australian race the prestigious first round. Media Spokesperson for the Australian Grand Prix Corporation Laura McLachlan said that the Corporation had no comment to make at this stage "until the FIA releases the official calendar"

NO SPLIT IN F1, MOSLEY GONE! IT’S GOOD NEWS WEEK!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

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NO SPLIT IN F1, MOSLEY GONE! IT’S GOOD NEWS WEEK!

The great Formula One breakaway crisis is apparently over with FIA President Max (hurts so good) Mosley finally falling on his sword and doing what he should have done this time last year. Mosley announced to the World Motorsport Council meeting in Paris today that he would not be standing for re-election. Mosley told reporters after the meeting that there will be no split. "We have agreed to a reduction of costs," he said. "There will be one F1 championship in 2010 but the objective is still to get back to the spending levels of the early nineties within two years." It is believed that Mosley's position became untenable after meeting with long time supporter Bernie Ecclestone and [FOTA] chairman Luca di Montezemolo. It is believed that Ecclestone warned Mosley that if he did not stand aside then Ecclestone would join with FOTA in staging an alternative World Championship. The new agreement means that the teams must call off the breakaway series and sign up to a new Concorde Agreement until 2012. A unified Formula One, and we get rid of Mosley. all in all a job well done. I think Champagne is called for.

IMG LINK RAISES THE STAKES IN F1 BREAKAWAY

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

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IMG LINK RAISES THE STAKES IN F1 BREAKAWAY

Website Grand Prix.com is suggesting that global sports management juggernaut IMG could be the people behind the promotion of an "alternative F1" series. IMG is one of the World's largest sports promotion and management companies and if anybody can rival Bernie Ecclestone for professionalism and global reach then it's IMG. IMG has a global portfolio that includes many of the worlds biggest sporting events and the company has plenty of motorsport experience including running a number of major street races including the Surfers Paradise Indy race and several Champcar rounds in the USA. It also has run Bathurst and the Sandown enduros here in Australia. Currently they are responsible for the media and marketing rights to events including the LeMans Series, NASCAR, NHRA Drag Racing and The World Speedway Grand Prix. Interestingly IMG is also a media partner of the Williams F1 racing team, one of only two current F1 teams to commit themselves to the traditional FIA series next year. FOTA is scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss the planning for their series, certainly, if as rumoured IMG is involved, then the chances of it happening and operating successfully just got a whole lot better.

FOTA’S RUMOURED CALENDAR. EMERALD CITY GP MISSES OUT, WIZARD SAID TO BE FURIOUS

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

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Several media outlets including "The Guardian" in England are reporting an alleged calendar for FOTA's break away Formula One series. Of most interest to Australian fans is the inclusion of Adelaide as the series finale in November. Adelaide's end of year bash was always a highlight of the International F1 year and many GP regulars would be thrilled to see it's return. However the listing of Surfers Paradise as an alternative clearly shows the true nature of this calendar. There is about as much chance of Surfers ever hosting any kind of serious F1 standard race as there is of me hosting the Oscars. The track is seriously narrow, there is no run off area and the area seriously lacks much of the major infrastructure need to host a GP type event. The track already struggles to cater for the previous Champcar/IndyCar event so how they would cope with something five times as big is anybody's guess.... More

FIA RESPONDS TO FOTA THREAT: SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO…

Friday, June 19, 2009

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The FIA have released a terse press release in response to the announcement that FOTA teams including Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren, BMW Sauber and Brawn GP would stage a rival Formula One series in 2010. The simple 110 word statement reads: The FIA has noted the latest press statement from FOTA. The FIA is disappointed but not surprised by FOTA’s inability to reach a compromise in the best interests of the sport. It is clear that elements within FOTA have sought this outcome throughout the prolonged period of negotiation and have not engaged in the discussions in good faith. The FIA cannot permit a financial arms race in the Championship nor can the FIA allow FOTA to dictate the rules of Formula One. The deadline for unconditional entries to the 2010 FIA Formula World Championship will expire this evening. The 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship entry list will be announced tomorrow. Meanwhile here in beautiful GirtbySea, Victorian tourism and special events apologist Tim Holding has announced to an eager and bewildered mainstream media that the Albert Park GP will go ahead as planned no matter what happens in Europe. Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding said the contract with Mr Ecclestone ensures a Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place every year up until 2015. "This is part of the pushing and shoving that Formula 1 is well known for,'' Mr Holding said. Speaking to the Murdoch media owned Herald Sun Holding said "We know these negotiations will continue and we also know that we will get a good outcome. Let's give the negotiations that are currently underway an opportunity to run their course.'' Mr Holding left the media conference on his magical flying carpet to return to Asgard.

FORMULA ONE SPLIT: CRISIS, SHOCK, HORROR, SCANDAL ! Pictures page 3

Friday, June 19, 2009

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FORMULA ONE SPLIT: CRISIS, SHOCK, HORROR, SCANDAL ! Pictures page 3

Formula One teams led by Ferrari and other major manufacturers have called the bluff of FIA President Max (hurts so good) Mosley and announced that they will run a breakaway series beginning next year. At a meeting held at the Renault F1 factory in Oxfordshire the teams refused to back down on their demands for changes for next years regulations. Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber, Brawn GP, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso have therefore declined to enter the FIA Formula One Championship for 2010. The announcement, on the eve of what looks set to be the final British GP at Silverstone, seriously ups the ante in the multi-billion dollar stare-down between the teams and the FIA. In a statement issued by FOTA, the teams said that there was no room for further compromise. "It has become clear that the stables cannot continue to make compromises on the fundamental values of the sport," they said. "The teams have no other alternative but to begin to prepare for a new championship which reflects the values of the competitors and their sponsors. According to the statemant the new series will have a transparent governing body, one single set of rules, encourage new entrants, and would better listen to the fans' wishes. Just what role, if any, Bernie Ecclestone may play in this is not yet clear. Despite the posturing of both the teams and the FIA, the real power broker is still Bernie. It is he who controls the sports commercial rights and the valuable TV deals that provide so much of the sport's income. Publicly at least, Ecclestone has shown qualified solidarity with his old mate Max, but Bernie is Bernie and friendship will count for nothing if there's a quid involved. And with literally millions of quids involved expect Bernie to jump wherever it's best for Bernie.

FORMULA ONE: PUT A CAP ON IT ?

Friday, May 1, 2009

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The FIA has announced Formula One's sweeping new financial changes at The World Motorsport Council. Most notably, the FIA has introduced a £40 million 'budget cap' program to guarantee the future of current teams, while creating financial intensives to entice potential new teams into Formula One. The penny pinching goes so far as to also include the banning of re-fuelling and tyre warmers for the 2010 Championship. While not compulsory, those teams who do sign up to the program will receive numerous technical freedoms. These include unlimited wind tunnel testing and pre-season track time, along with movable front and rear wings as well as their engines being free of rev-limits. FIA President Max Mosely is quoted as saying “I think they may find it attractive because like everybody else they need to save money. They've got to think of their shareholders' money, and not just spend like in the old days.” Supporter of the concept of a budget cap, Sir Frank Williams, has raised concerns over the optional implementation of the initiative. “We would like to see all the teams operating to one set of regulations and under a budget cap in 2010 and that is the position we will be advocating within FOTA when we meet next week”. The Q&A media release on the FIA's website, stated that “There is one set of technical regulations and as always there are choices for all teams as to how they decide to attack the championships,”

DIFFUSERS LEGAL, BRAWN WINS AGAIN

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

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The FIA International Court of Appeal have backed the decision of stewards at both Melbourne and Sepang and declared the "double decker" diffusers of Brawn, Toyota & Williams to be legal. The decision has come as a huge blow to other teams who are now faced with the task of having to design and test similar devices during a tough season and with limited testing opportunities. Ferrari were quick to issue a statement expressing their disappointment about the decision. Stefano Domenicali, Team Principal for Scuderia Ferrari said that "...this decision forces us to intervene on fundamental areas of the car's design in order to be able to compete on an equal footing with some of the teams from a point of view of the technical regulations, and that will take time and money."