Bernie had too much at stake to allow the breakaway series to come to pass. MM dug his own grave with his constantly throwing the cards in the air with the rules which were exorbitantly expensive and did little or nothing to improve the sport or the spectacle (KERS comes instantly to mind). Also, the questionable decisions regarding stewards' decisions during and after the races alarmed teams as well. Another item in the back of everyone's minds was probably the possibility of getting hit with massive fines that could financially cripple not only their budget but also ruin their reputation (and thereby ruin their relationships with current and prospective sponsors) played a significant factor as well. With MM playing major roles in all of these areas, I think the teams together were alarmed by the damage inflicted to individual teams and the reputation of the sport as a whole. I believe the whole settlement hinged on MM being made the sacrificial goat. The fact that the teams had the will and the means to implement their own series (as well as almost universal support- 91% IIRC) meant that MM leaving was the only possible solution. A LOT of negotiating was doubtless done behind closed doors. I think it rather fascinating that the main 2 protagonists in this duel were a pair of lawyers (MM and LDM)... if they had not come to a settlement (which to me is the only way the result can be described), then I think both men foresaw an endless series of lawsuits that would have only lined the pockets of the lawyers involved and would have seriously depleted their pockets as well as providing extremely detrimental damage to the public perception of the sport. Frank
Luca didn't stoop to Max's level.......Now if Peter Windbag would be gone from Speed after his cynical (he used that word) remark on the air last Friday . . . that would be a good thing. Carol
+1 He's already stepped aside from the post race interviews. OTOH, who else does Speed have available in the pit lane? - I'd love to see Matchett there instead but don't know if that's doable.
We all know what really transpired. "Issue number one: Max Mosley must be ejected immediately -- for life -- or we walk. Non-negotiable." He was massively destructive and had brought the FIA in total disrepute. Pitching him out was the only choice. The only question was how to allow him some "face."
That is true. What the discussions consisted of and what has given to and by Bernie we may never know. Luca has shown the magnanimity of an honorable victor. There is no point in shaming the vanquished.
He doesn't deserve any grace Dave, nothing zip nowt zilch FA. But ok if it hastens his retirement..shamed that is.
And actually, if one thinks about it, Max has had a pretty rough couple of years. He is a laughing stock in the public eye. He has video of himself on the internet being spanked by chubby semi-good looking prostitutes while he squeals in German. His son died of a drug OD He has been ousted in shame (regardless of press releases to the contrary) from the job he's held for the past 19 years. He's lost the little power he ever had. He lost his final battle against the teams.. it's not like he went out on a high note. He is generally despised by the vast majority of those that know who he is. It's not like Max has a lot to reflect on when he's lying in bed at night other than how he really f-ed things up for himself. His legacy won't likely be a good one. He's shamed himself, and Luca would only give him a forum and lend him credibility if he was to try to shame him further. I don't feel bad for him - almost all his problems were self created. But if he ends up fading from public view, it will be to live out his years in disgrace (in public opinion, at least). I just hope he doesn't pop up again somewhere else. I predict he will... but I can't think who would really want to hire him. He would likely be useless as an employee to any commercial operation. He's so widely despised that I don't see him being able to make it in any public office either. On the upside, he'd fit in wonderfully at the United States Postal Service!
Yes pretty much agreed Mike. He will probably spend his twilight years trying to suppress the press in the UK..
