Looking at this, I can imagine the people at Williams saying "What . . . we have to launch a new car again? Oh crap . . . ". * Image Unavailable, Please Login
Staff reshuffle continues at new-look Ferrari Date published: January 28 2019 -- https://www.planetf1.com/news/staff-reshuffle-continues-at-new-look-ferrari/ Ferrari are continuing to make staff changes behind the scenes ahead of the new 2019 season. The sad passing of Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne has triggered a series of personnel changes, the biggest of which has seen Maurizio Arrivabene replaced by Mattia Binotto as team principal and Charles Leclerc chosen ahead of Kimi Raikkonen as part of the Scuderia’s 2019 driver line-up. The latest departure now sees, Alberto Antonini, the head of Ferrari’s F1 press office leave the team and replaced by Silvia Hoffer Frangipane, formerly of McLaren. One of the main criticisms of Arrivabene’s reign was how closed off Ferrari were from the media, perhaps this latest staff change will see a change in the relationship the Scuderia has with the press. This is something ex-driver turned pundit, David Coulthard, is hoping will happen. He commented: “I’m looking forward to working with Silvia to deliver for the Ferrari fans and the wider F1 fans.”
[Autosprint] reports that Scuderia Ferrari‘s 2019 single seater could be called SF90H and that the car will have a completely *new* red. I don't get the 90 designation. SF70-H & SF71-H are the years in F1. hmmmm.
Liberty Media could be saying farewell to Formula 1, or at least reducing their stake in the sport, according to a report. Liberty Media bought Formula 1 from CVC, paying a $8 billion for the sport. The American owners set about revamping Formula 1, or as much as one can given the numerous voices that have a say, with fan interaction their number one target. However, according to a report, it looks as if they are growing tired in the face of an insurmountable task. “Less than 3 years after Liberty Global acquired Formula One, the company is reportedly exploring scenarios that would decrease their stake in the international racing circuit; everything from an exit to the introduction of new equity partners in on the table,” reports johnwallstreet.com. The report states that Liberty Media have failed in many of their objectives, such as adding new races and new sponsors. The new owners have often spoken of their desire for a greater American audience and set about introducing a Miami Grand Prix. Plans for that, though, fell flat in part due to a lack of interest from local residents. Should Liberty opt to walk away from the sport, it could pave the way for Bernie Ecclestone to return. The former F1 supremo led the sport for decades before being axed by Chase Carey. But at 88, would Bernie want back in the game? https://www.planetf1.com/news/formula-1-for-sale-again-report/
So much? Bernie will wait for the fire sale and get it for ten cents on the dollar! He is many things, but he isn’t a mug.
....Nice!!! F1 to host first ever season launch in Australia with the 20 drivers and team principals. Free Entry for the fans. The event will also be streaming globally. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Vettel blaming the car for losing the 2018 season......................... [Vettel made obvious mistakes in 2018, but he says the real problem is that the Ferrari was not quite as good as the winning Mercedes. "I think we need a stronger package," he said. "We certainly had our moments last year when we had strong races, but we also had races which weren't very strong. "I think overall it's the speed that decides and I think more often than not we were lacking a little bit of speed.] http://grandprix.com/news/vettel-says-2019-world-title-target-clear.html
PKN ORLEN event in Warsaw today........ Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
+1 - Irvine accurately assessed him in a BBC article recently. Autosport ranked him out of the top 5 for last year. He appears to lack solid tactical race-craft under pressure when needed most. The year with Ricci probably shows his level against a top team-mate. Kimi was not a top team-mate.
FOPA voicing discontent. https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/race-promoters-criticise-liberty-media/4330141/ They said: It is not in the long term interest of the sport that fans lose free access to content and broadcasting There is lack of clarity on new initiatives in F1 and a lack of engagement with promoters on their implementation New races should not be introduced to the detriment of existing events although the association is encouraged by the alternative business models being offered to prospective venues. British Grand Prix promoter Stuart Pringle, who is boss of the Silverstone track which activated a break clause in its British GP contract, said that key issues needed addressing. Speaking to The Daily Mail, he said: “Miami are seemingly getting a free deal. That has not gone down well with anyone, not least with the guys at Austin, Texas, who are working hard to make their race pay. "If this continues, Formula 1 will be racing on second-rate circuits, if any at all." He added: “Everyone is disgruntled. Liberty's ideas are disjointed. We have all been compliant and quiet hitherto, but we have great concerns about the future health of the sport under the people who run it now.” Liberty is in a hard spot. They are losing money, and everyone wants their fair share of something that doesn't exist. Most of the tracks have been losing money for decades, and that's about to stop. Governments are losing willingness to foot the bill for something that has a negative return. I've been saying for eons that F1 needs to return to broadcast TV and stay there. The whole pay for views is a dead end that cannot support the series by itself, especially in light of evaporating interest. The appeal has to broadened in order to lure back sponsors...the sugar daddies of the sport. With ONE exception, the big teams are self sponsoring (MB, RBR, Renault), and everyone else is trying to stay afloat. Sponsors aren't lining up to pay for something that will only be seen on pay tv. All these issues are small potatoes because FIA are completely unwilling to address the core problem with F1; it's boring as hell. All the other problems cannot be fixed until the FIA fix the racing.
launch date re-cap and Mercedes W10 itinerary. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Yeah and that's why they have stuck to Bernie's UK Sky tie up with only Silverstone as free view and everything else as pay per view at an astronomical monthly fee. Sorry, but this is such a typical American view of the world; self-centred! The growth market isn't the USA..its the far east. Far too much competition in the USA with NASCAR/Indy series etc.
I agree. The pay for view system has gone too far. When the TV audience shrinks, the sponsors are not willing to pump money into F1.
