FLAVIO TO WORK WITH BERNIE To Improve The Show

Renault boss Flavio Briatore is to work closely with Formula 1's commercial rights holders to help shape the sport's future, as part of the breakthrough deal agreed between the FIA and the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA).

Briatore was already head of FOTA's commercial division and, while work for now will focus on framing a new Concorde Agreement to commit current teams to F1 until 2012, beyond that there will be moves to make F1 better for fans.

Speaking at a FOTA press conference in Bologna on Thursday, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo revealed more details about the agreement that he put together with FIA president Max Mosley.

"We said since the beginning that we were looking for some priority points and I want to thank the FIA World Motor Sport Council for the very positive meeting yesterday and the very constructive attitude towards the interests of F1," explained di Montezemolo.

"We will keep the 2009 rules the same for everybody - this is extremely important. We will have stability in F1 at least until the end of 2012. It means no [extra] cost, because with stability you have no cost.

"We also have governance like in the previous years in which the rules come from clear procedure with the F1 Commission. And we will continue as teams, as car manufacturers, to work for important cost reductions as we have already done with success regarding engines and gearboxes.

"Flavio will also be working with the commercial rights holder to improve the show and the interest in the sport."

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said it was important that the F1 teams listened to the wishes of fans - something he felt had not happened in recent years with the FIA.

"I think as you are aware, FOTA undertook a very interesting survey of fans trying to understand what they wanted," explained Whitmarsh. "The initial work led us to some conclusions that were put before the FIA.

"Unfortunately, none of those suggestions and ideas, which we felt were positive, were accepted. We now have to continue that work.

"We have to be structured in the way that we speak to the audience, asking them what they expect from the sport, the format of the sport, how they understand it, how it's presented, how we provide information. We have to continue the work.

"There is no singular point; I think it is listening to what the audience wants and making sure that we respond to it to improve the show, the spectacle and the information that's provided."

 

David, don't forget that Flavio and Bernie are, were, really close friends and business associates. At any GP, you would see them having dinner at least one night before the race.