The invisible man (JT) on the new Concorde / F1 democracy!

Fast_ian · Nov 6, 2012

Hey,

A few of us have been a little critical of the low profile Todt's been keeping. What's he doing? Why isn't he more of a "leader" etc. However, as suspected, it seems he's been diligently beavering away behind the scenes. Here's his comments on the state of play and where he wants it to go;

Formula 1 will be better placed to secure its long-term future under the revised structure that is framed within the new Concorde Agreement, claims FIA president Jean Todt.

In an exclusive interview with AUTOSPORT, Todt said that he believes an overhaul of the way that F1 is run to make it more democratic will prevent the kind of stalemates - and the ability of a minority of teams to block rule changes - that have held the sport back in the past.

"For me, it will be much more open to be able to change something," said Todt about the new arrangement.

"At the moment, with the way it is structured, you can never change anything."

As AUTOSPORT previously revealed, the old structure of Technical and Sporting Working Groups proposing rules through a 70 per cent majority for ratification by a 26-man F1 Commission is being revamped.

Instead, a 18-strong 'Strategy Working Group' is being created - which will be made up of six team representatives (Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, Williams and the next best in the constructors'), six FIA representatives and six representatives from Formula One Management.

This group will vote on rule changes that will be decided through a simple majority, and these will then be passed on to a trimmed 18-man F1 Commission.

The new F1 Commission is made up of the six teams from the Strategy Group, every outfit that has scored a point in the previous championship, plus an FIA representative, an FOM representative, six promoters and an engine manufacturer.

"The decision will be based on majority and not any more 70 per cent," said Todt, who thinks the new structure will be better able to react to the needs of the sport as a whole.

"It will be a democratic and balanced organisation, which doesn't exist now. So for the FIA it is a plus."

Todt says he expects the new Concorde Agreement to be finalised in a matter of weeks, with all parties having agreed on the principles.

Although the Concorde discussions have hit hurdles along the way, Todt said he was adamant that he would only agree to a solution that was good for the sport as a whole.

"I will never think that we have only to make sure that we please the FIA," he said.

"I will not accept that we only please the teams. Or that we only please the commercial rights holder. For me it has to be a balanced element.

"And I think after quite a few discussions with the commercial rights holder, CVC, with Bernie, speaking with the teams, speaking then globally with everybody, sometimes we have only two parts.

"So for me it was important to put three parts together, which I did on October 22 in Paris.

"We agreed on most of the principles and now we have to finalise the written agreement, and hopefully to sign it. For the FIA, it will reinforce its position, but in a balanced way."
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I'm really liking what I'm reading........ We always knew he's a smart guy, but despite what the lunatic says, a democracy has gotta be the way to get things done IMO.

Cheers,
Ian

DF1 · Nov 6, 2012

Thanks for the report. No matter how well intentioned a democracy is not heaven I certainly understand his intentions and I hope his ideals can be carried out.

Fast_ian · Nov 6, 2012

DF1 said: ↑

... No matter how well intentioned a democracy is not heaven
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No doubt. But it's gotta be better than the Lunatics autocratic style.

Anyone know if promoters were part of any working groups previously? *If* those guys ever get their act together they could certainly stir the pot.

Time will tell, but as I said, I'm liking the principles he's promoting.

Cheers,
Ian

kraftwerk · Nov 6, 2012

Fast_ian said: ↑

Hey,

A few of us have been a little critical of the low profile Todt's been keeping. What's he doing? Why isn't he more of a "leader" etc. However, as suspected, it seems he's been diligently beavering away behind the scenes. Here's his comments on the state of play and where he wants it to go;

I'm really liking what I'm reading........ We always knew he's a smart guy, but despite what the lunatic says, a democracy has gotta be the way to get things done IMO.

Cheers,
Ian
Click to expand...

Yes I concur.

Fast_ian · Nov 7, 2012

More from JT.

No cost control / RRA in the new Concorde, but seems the pieces are being put in place - Possibly ahead of 2014.

FIA president Jean Todt wants Formula 1 teams to discuss a cost control plan for the future as soon as the new Concorde Agreement has been signed.

After months of discussions about the idea of the FIA getting involved in policing either a Resource Restriction Agreement or a budget cap, Todt says that he wants such a scenario to be decided through the new structures being put in place.

"We have to do things step by step," he told AUTOSPORT in an exclusive interview. "I am in favour of reducing the costs, improving the show, and implementing new technologies.

"So now we are seeing that we are on the way to having these working groups, advisory strategy group and the F1 Commission, and for me it has to be dealt with inside of those groups.

"As soon as we are able to do it, we will have a democratic way. No dictatorship. No pressure to do something.

"We will sit altogether and then we will do what the majority will decide on, which I feel is the most transparent way to run our business."

Earlier this season, 10 of the current 12 teams were in favour of the FIA policing a chassis RRA but Todt did not want to implement such a policy without unanimous support.

Looking to what will happen in the future, he suggests a complete chassis and engine RRA will be a better way forward, and he is convinced the FIA has the means to regulate it.

"It will be unfair to have a cost restriction on chassis and do nothing on the engine," he said.

"Our people have been working very hard with expert companies like Deloitte, KPMG, and other audit companies to see.

"First I had some doubts that we could do a good job. Now we know we can do a good job.

"But we have to include the engines. There are still some ongoing discussions.

"Once we have covered the engine situation, we should be ready to propose something by 2014. And by 2013 with our new groups, with the Concorde Agreement, we should be able to follow the protocol.

"So it should not be one team is against, one team is in favour. The majority will be able to guide the future of the sport."

Cost-cut target remains

Todt has reiterated that he wants to ultimately see costs reduced by one third over the next few years.

"How much do we want to control?" he said. "I hear $250 million. Who can afford $250 million?

"What is the situation for teams who are producing one engine? There are so many things I read which I am sorry to say are a bit superficial.

"We must get into the detail. Who is spending $250 million? Probably more than one team. But even if it is three or four, what about the other eight teams?

"We have to address the problem overall and I hope people will have the right concern to address it. At the end of the day, for me, democracy means that we must make shared decisions."

He added: "The teams invest money, but do we need to have 150 people or 200 people in a wind tunnel to have a good show? I don't think so.

"I really hope that people will be happy to realise and undertake some drastic reduction in costs."
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Again, I'm liking what I'm reading. His comments on $250MM would appear to be a little "dig" at the Pygmy - Love it!

Cheers,
Ian
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104098

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The invisible man (JT) on the new Concorde / F1 democracy!

Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

DF1 Three Time F1 World Champ

Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

kraftwerk Two Time F1 World Champ

Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

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