Teams throw F1 into disarray

[jandajoy]

Teams throw F1 into disarray

Posted 1 hour 12 minutes ago
Updated 41 minutes ago


The association representing F1 teams says it will set up its own competition (file photo). (Getty Images: Paul Gilham)


Formula One has been thrown into disarray days ahead of the British Grand Prix, with the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) announcing it will set up a rival championship to that organised by the sport's governing body.
The Geneva-based FOTA - which consists of McLaren-Mercedes, BMW Sauber, Renault, Toyota, Brawn GP, Ferrari, Red Bull and Toro Rosso - have been opposed to FIA's plans to introduce rule changes over a proposed budget cap for next season and other plans for the future of the sport.
Williams and Force India, however, have accepted the new framework, along with the three new teams - USF1, Campos and Manor.
However, in a statement from FOTA the rebel teams make it clear that they are ready to launch a breakaway as of the next campaign.
"It has become clear that the stables cannot continue to make compromises on the fundamental values of the sport," the statement said.
"They have refused to modify the conditions regarding their signing up to the 2010 world championship.
"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.
"This series will have a transparent governing body, one single set of rules, it would encourage new entrants, would willingly listen to the fans wishes, which includes lower admission prices throughout the world, for the sponsors and major shareholders."
The stage is set for a legal battle, with the International Automobile Federation (FIA) saying champion Ferrari and the two Red Bull teams have existing contracts which commit them to the existing championship.
The FIA had set a Friday deadline for five teams - Brawn, BMW-Sauber, McLaren, Renault and Toyota - to convert their provisional entries into unconditional ones or risk being excluded.
There was no immediate comment on the latest development from the FIA or Formula One's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
-AFP/Reuters

Teams throw F1 into disarray - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)



I don't think it'd be such a bad thing.

[aging one]

Saw that as well. Will make for a gossip filled British GP. also saw that Alonzo said he would not stick with Renault it this happens, he will find some other kind of racing.

I sort of hope it does happen. Bernie and Max have gotten too rich running the show over the last few years.

[jandajoy]

Bernie and Max have gotten too rich running the show over the last few years.

Agreed. I don't care so much about the money but the control they have is way over the top.

[jandajoy]

This from the BBC.

F1 teams drop breakaway bombshell
Formula One has been thrown into chaos after the Formula One Teams Association (Fota) carried out its threat to set up a rival championship in 2010.
Eight of F1's major teams have been frustrated by deadlocked talks with world motorsport boss Max Mosley over his controversial budget cap proposals.
"The teams have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 F1 Championship," said the teams.
"We've no alternative than to commence preparation for a new championship."
Mosley was insistent on introducing a voluntary £40m budget cap for teams to curtail a "financial arms race" in F1.
But Fota refused to agree to his conditions, prompting championship leader Brawn GP, Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso to take their drastic action.
They announced their decision following a four-hour meeting on Thursday night ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

"Since the formation of Fota last September the teams have worked together and sought to engage the FIA and commercial rights holder (Bernie Ecclestone), to develop and improve the sport," read a Fota statement.
"Unprecedented worldwide financial turmoil has inevitably placed great challenges before the F1 community.
"Fota is proud that it has achieved the most substantial measures to reduce costs in the history of our sport.
"In particular, the manufacturer teams have provided assistance to the independent teams, a number of which would probably not be in the sport today without the Fota initiatives.
"The Fota teams have further agreed upon a substantial voluntary cost reduction that provides a sustainable model for the future.
"Following these efforts, all the teams have confirmed to the FIA and the commercial rights holder that they are willing to commit until the end of 2012.

The teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport and have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 world championship
Fota statement
"The FIA and the commercial rights holder have campaigned to divide Fota.
"The wishes of the majority of the teams are ignored. Furthermore, tens of millions of dollars have been withheld from many teams by the commercial rights holder, going back as far as 2006.
"Despite this, and the uncompromising environment, Fota has genuinely sought compromise.
"It has become clear, however, the teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport and have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 world championship."
Fota added that its championship would put F1 fans first and boast the best drivers and sponsors.
"This series will have transparent governance, one set of regulations, encourage more entrants and listen to the wishes of the fans, including offering lower prices for spectators worldwide, partners and other important stakeholders," added the statement.
"The major drivers, stars, brands, sponsors, promoters and companies historically associated with the highest level of motorsport will all feature in this new series."
Former champions Williams and Force India have already committed unconditionally to the FIA's world championship along with three new entrants - Campos, US F1 and Manor.
The FIA has said there are other would-be newcomers waiting to take the places of those teams that refused to enter unconditionally, although one, Lola, has already withdrawn its application.
The stage is also set for a legal battle, with the FIA saying champions Ferrari and the two Red Bull teams have existing contracts which commit them to the existing championship.
The FIA had set a Friday deadline for five teams - Brawn, BMW-Sauber, McLaren, Renault and Toyota - to convert their provisional entries into unconditional ones or risk being excluded.
There was no immediate comment from the FIA or Ecclestone.

Story from BBC SPORT:
BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula 1 | F1 teams drop breakaway bombshell

Published: 2009/06/19 0026 GMT

© BBC MMIX

[Butterfly]

fucking great, that sport is long overdue for a change

[Katana]

That sux just as new teams are coming in and getting the feild expanded this happens.

Mark

[watterinja]

F1 was long dead - it needs a re-formulation.

This is good news if they can pull it off.

[Butterfly]

^ agree, it has been shit for the last 10 years

[Muadib]

^ Long dead and shit for 10 years... We've obviously been watching different F1 series... 55 million people worldwide seem to enjoy each race immensely...

This isn't the first time that the FIA & FOCA have clashed... It's all about the money...

Beginning in the 1970s, Bernie Ecclestone rearranged the management of Formula One's commercial rights; he is widely credited with transforming the sport into the billion-dollar business it is today.[16][17] When Ecclestone bought the Brabham team in 1971 he gained a seat on the Formula One Constructors' Association and in 1978 became its President. Previously the circuit owners controlled the income of the teams and negotiated with each individually, however Ecclestone persuaded the teams to "hunt as a pack" through FOCA.[17] He offered Formula One to circuit owners as a package which they could take or leave. In return for the package almost all are required to surrender trackside advertising.[16]

The formation of the Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile (FISA) in 1979 set off the FISA-FOCA war, during which FISA and its president Jean-Marie Balestre clashed repeatedly with FOCA over television revenues and technical regulations.[18] The Guardian said of FOCA that Ecclestone and Max Mosley "used it to wage a guerrilla war with a very long-term aim in view." FOCA threatened to set up a rival series, boycotted a Grand Prix and FISA withdrew its sanction from races.[16] The result was the 1981 Concorde Agreement, which guaranteed technical stability, as teams were to be given reasonable notice of new regulations.[19] Although FISA asserted its right to the TV revenues, it handed the administration of those rights to FOCA.[citation needed]


Formula One - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[The Fresh Prince]

I'm all for some cheaper ticket pricing, Singapore cost a fortune last year.

[larvidchr]

Whatever they do I hope they get the nazi perv Moesly kicked out, half of this is his personal vendetta against the teams that wanted him thrown out after his sex video scandal, he promised then that he would not stand for one more election if FIA allowed him to stay his term out, that promise it seems he has happily forgotten.

It is only right and proper that the factory's, teams and drivers that put all into the sport also get to set the rules of the game, then after that FIA can administer those rules as an impartial overseer.

The same goes for the money, if Eccelstone and co. let more of the moneys go back to the teams a cost cap would maybe not be such a big issue, F1 is supposed to be the absolute pinnacle of motor sport and automotive technology but is getting more and more watered down, if FIA and Moesly get his way soon it will be same engines same chassis ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz and we can all go back to sleep.

Personally I would love to see small capacity turbo engines compete against big V6, V8, W10 and 12, If only they reduced the aerodynamic aids so cars could drive very close without adverse affect to the road holding capabilities.

To be honest though I believe that FOTA and FIA in the end will find a compromise and the messages we hear is all power play for now.

[Attilla the Hen]

There's too much money at stake for them not to "kiss and make up".

[Marmite the Dog]

Personally, I think the only rules should be engine size, 4 wheels of a specified size and no electronic drivers' aids.

[jandajoy]

Competition is good. Any alternative to the Ecklestone monopoly is IMHO good.

[Muadib]

^ Agreed and have been saying the same for some time... Bernie & Max wield too much power and $$$... Time for both of them to back out of the picture, but being megalomaniacs they cannot see the harm they are doing...

If there is a split, it will be the end of F1 style competition as we know it... The recent history lesson of the CART & USAC self-destruction should be apparent...

[AnthonyR1]

sad news as i love F1 but i am enjoying watching FOTA stick it to bernie and the nazi!
finally, after 3 or 4 seasons of absurd rules and changes they get it right and now they have gone and totally fucked it.
unfortunately i don't see a breakaway being successful. may end up being another A1
hopefully i'm wrong.
thanks bernie, max.....fucking pricks

[Fuzzy Bob]

I watch the first lap, that's about it.

[williamfh]

FIA is a problem

[williamfh]

this year F1 is not fun to watch tha big team car no good

[Marmite the Dog]

^ Can you not go so 'in-depth' with your views, please? This is a social forum, not a nuclear physicists' convention.

[Katana]

Nice start to the day after thai staff had my eyes rolling 2 minutes into the day ....

Thanks