Bernie is 1st a business man he gets things done in strange ways, Silverstone was going to get axed, because IIRC it was not up to scratch was the offical line. So he got work started and loads of money wasted on Donnington, then Silverstone gets signed up for year dot... go figure.. however Silverstone has upped its game..
Of course you have them . You paid for them. Quite the trick grinding them while asleep. Most folks just keep them in a glass by the side of the bed.
If Spa and Monza are axed it will be a JOKE. Two great tracks that need to stay. Do you guys think Imola will ever come back? I always throught that track was awesome.
Bernie Ecclestone's job is to look after the interests of CVC (I think), the company that holds the F1 rights, which are purely of commercial nature. The FIA is to look after the interest of motorsport in general, which is treated as a sport. The 2 often don't coincide. Ecclestone find willing partners in a lot of new venues like Turkey, the Gulf, China, Russia, India, Korea, etc... and some reluctance to meet his company's expectations in places like Silverstone, Spa or Monza. It's no surprise to see GPs going to new nations, and away from the fanbase which is mostly in Europe. In Monza, which is located in a park, a local ecologist group has been lobbying for years and obtained a ban on falling trees, making it impossible to extend the run-off areas, and bringing up more and more tight chicanes to reduce speed. At Spa, 2 rival administrative authorities are disputing control of the circuit income, bringing the organisers to cancel the GP one year. So, it's no surprise that Ecclestone indicate a move away from these places, since the locals can't even put their houses in order. I am sure that Ecclestone has no problem ordering tree cutting in China or Malaysia!! Already France is playing "can't pay, won't pay", and Silverstone got a last minute reprieve thanks to Donington defaulting. The future is bleak, but don't only blame Bernie; he is only doing his job after all.
That's almost as good as "Just following orders". You're right of course about Bernie being concerned only about the commercial side of things. The problem is that the FIA which is supposed to be looking out for the sporting interests has abrogated its responsibilities. Some of us were hoping that Jean Todt would act in a more responsible manner than Max had. So far we've been disappointed.
As far as I understand, the FIA has sold the commercial rights of F1 to CVC (?), Bernie's company, sometime ago and can only take decision about regulations, not organisation. That, I believe came from an agreement between the FIA and Ecclestone. The FIA has contracted out or franchised most of its championships to commercial companies; it's the same for GP2, GT, WTCC, etc... If CVC respects its side of the bargain and pays substantial sums of money to the FIA (as per contract), I don't know what leverage the Place de la Concorde could use to force Bernie to alter his choice of venues. Todt or no Todt, I don't think it makes any difference at this point! From a long standing F1 follower, I think it's a real tragedy (that's no exageration), that traditional venues in the heartland of motor racing have been abandonned or mutilated (seen what they did to Hockenheim?) to the profit of places that have no historical interest in F1, but governments in dire need of good exposure. My only hope is that after a few seasons, the Far East and Middle East places get fed up with it, so that GPs can come back in Europe.
could not agree more! Spa and Monza are two of the oldest race tracks in the world... and the poison dwarf is going to screw all that! maybe he'll die first
The financial arrangements concerning F1 are not public knowledge but I think that you're probably correct. Having said that were the FIA intent on furthering the interests of the sport I have no doubt that they could exert substantial influence. The crux of the matter is that Bernie has made a lot of people involved in F1 very, very wealthy and continues to do so. It seems that no one is willing to endanger the golden goose for the sake of the fans. Why am I not surprised?
The manufacturers will follow Bernie's drive to the Far East, where emerging markets are. The fans don't have much say. It's only the European sponsors who could have some influence, but those could be replaced by new ones with footprint in Asia, etc...
In addition to sponsors money comes into F1 by way of the big car makers but lately the big manufacturers who had primarily European interests are being squeezed out in favor of smaller race teams who don't have the same clout. When you have governments writing checks everyone else looks penny-ante I guess.
Were they "squeezed out" though? Seems to me they chose to quit...... +1 there. The "unfortunate" thing is the grid has more cars now than it has in a *long* time. OK, some are currently crap, but the circus remains very successful for the few. Where the hell is JT!? Cheers, Ian
F1 is all about the money. It will go wherever the money is. There is no allegiance to any country nor any venue. When the US GP was held in the parking lot at Harrah's in Las Vegas it was very apparent what its guiding ideology was.
They were squeezed by a variety of factors both internal and external of the sport. Again had the FIA and Mr. E. thought it in their interest they could have made staying attractive. We've been hoping that J.T. has been beavering away behind the scenes but absent of evidence I have serious doubts. Somewhere J.M. Balestre is having a good laugh.
Ditto, but I can see it. Who would think that we would't have a French Grant Prix- grand prix racing STARTED in Froance for Pete's sake, and the FIA is French...but we don't. Dijon, Magny Cours, Paul Ricard and the rest are there for the using... IF Monza goes, I'll never watch a modern, FIA-sactioned F1 race again.
I wouldn't be so sure ... Just look how the Monte Carlo rally isn't on the WEC anymore. Monaco is under siege for safety reasons, and it can't improve much in that area.
About as long as it took for Indy to leave? About as long as it took Canada to be dropped - and subsequently get bailed out by the Gov't.
+100000000 It would be a shame if these tracks were to go. Bernie and Co. should take a deep look before they decide on this. It was at these tracks that has built the sport. Take that away and F1 will go away. At least at the tracks where it matters.
I have no love for Bernie Ecclestone, but I am surprised at some of the comments. I wonder how many here would *honestly* give up $10mm or $20mm per year out of their own pocket to have a race in Spa vs. Kuwait (or wherever). Would anyone really pay $10mm or $20mm of their own money to keep the race at Monza? I highly doubt it. Bernie is a businessman and he's doing this to earn money. When he is gone, the situation will probably be worse, if there is some suit in control. Races would be sold to the highest bidders with no consideration given to history or tenure. What *will* make a difference is if attendance at the races drops (like China or Turkey) or if TV viewership drops (as it did when Schumi was winning everything). The TV viewers will watch anything, so it doesn't matter where it is. But if people don't go to the races, it will cease making financial sense to the race holders both from an "ROI through economic benefit to the community" as well as a "jewel in the crown" perspective. And when it doesn't make sense, it will stop happening. My .02
I don't think that the 'gate attendance' is all that important for CVC and Ecclestone: most of it goes to the circuit and the organisers. It's TV rating that is the most important for Bernie, because that's how he sells his show at high price to the various channels, and is able to redistribute some of it to the teams (40%). And if the TV rating decreases, the sponsors will have a say in that and pull out or reduce their involvement in F1. Sponsors are in F1 for the exposure and expect a good return. If the show becomes boring and looses TV viewers, there will be an exodus from F1.
