Press Release
FOTA UNITED ON THE FUTURE
Silverstone, 18 June 2009 - Since the formation of FOTA last September the teams have worked together and sought to engage the FIA and commercial rights holder, to develop and improve the sport.
Unprecedented worldwide financial turmoil has inevitably placed great challenges before the F1 community. FOTA is proud that it has achieved the most substantial measures to reduce costs in the history of our sport.
In particular the manufacturer teams have provided assistance to the independent teams, a number of which would probably not be in the sport today without the FOTA initiatives. The FOTA teams have further agreed upon a substantial voluntary cost reduction that provides a sustainable model for the future.
Following these efforts all the teams have confirmed to the FIA and the commercial rights holder that they are willing to commit until the end of 2012.
The FIA and the commercial rights holder have campaigned to divide FOTA.
The wishes of the majority of the teams are ignored. Furthermore, tens of millions of dollars have been withheld from many teams by the commercial rights holder, going back as far as 2006. Despite this and the uncompromising environment, FOTA has genuinely sought compromise.
It has become clear however, that the teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport and have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 World Championship.
These teams therefore have no alternative other than to commence the preparation for a new Championship which reflects the values of its participants and partners. This series will have transparent governance, one set of regulations, encourage more entrants and listen to the wishes of the fans, including offering lower prices for spectators worldwide, partners and other important stakeholders.
The major drivers, stars, brands, sponsors, promoters and companies historically associated with the highest level of motorsport will all feature in this new series.
Note to Eds: Statement issued by FOTA on behalf of BMW-Sauber, BrawnGP, Scuderia Ferrari, McLaren-Mercedes, Red Bull Racing, Renault, Scuderia Toro Rosso, Toyota.
Epic. See you in the "Grand Prix" series next year, FOTA!
ReplyDeleteThink of all the great tracks that are available around the world for FOTA's pickings... Silverstone, Montreal, Indy, Long Beach (why not?), Surfer's Paradise, Jerez, South Africa, Buenos Aires and on and on....
ReplyDeleteFOTA's championship: All the past champions, best cars, best teams, manufacturers...
FIA's championship: Bahrein, Hungary, no past champions... need I say more?
I certainly know which championship I'll be watching next year.
As usual the key to all this will be to follow the money, or maybe more specifically in this case ...will the money follow FOTA? With Ferrari and all the manufacturers on one side and Williams and Force india on the other, my guess is that CVC Partners will be making a few phone calls tomorrow...
ReplyDeleteso it finally happened... a single man's ego destroyed the tradition... what a sad day (i still had childish hopes for F1 'til the last moment)...
ReplyDelete(on a less grim note, please please god lets see some FOTA 2010 championship prototype 80's F1 racing style)
This isn't bad news - F1 may be dying by name but at least the FOTA are working to keep their idea of a series running. Don't think the history of this sport is out the window yet.
ReplyDeleteWhat's F1 going to be called next year? The Cosworth Series?
im not saying its bad news... but F1 had a charm attached to its name, the glamour and the excess of the old times... now its just boring racing and even more cocky pilots... im glad that FOTA decided to part ways with FIA... im just sad for the "Formula 1" name itself... it used to mean something
ReplyDeleteAt least we can rest assured it will be done well. Rumor is that Dorna Sports SL, the commercial rights holder to MotoGP is going to be spearheading the FOTA series. They had success before when MotoGP migrated from the FIM, which sounds very familiar to the situation we are in right now.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, it's great news and I cant wait to see what lies ahead for us. Lets bring back Montreal and Indy please!
This is fantastic news!
ReplyDeleteF1 is going to be European Nascar next year, I will definitly watch the new FOTA series. I think the "Grand Prix Racing Series" someone else mentioned is a good name.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is sad that the current state of F1 reflects poorly on the golden years of the sport. However, I can only look to people like Sir Jackie Stewart - who is probably pleased with this, for guidance.
ReplyDeleteMany former F1 drivers have come out against Mosley and Eccelstone and, despite the storied history of this sport, this pair need to be removed with the F1 namesake being the sacrificial lamb. Despite all of the crap Eccelstone and Mosley have put F1 through, it will never change the history of the sport with Jim Clark, Bruce McLaren, Niki Lauda, Jochen Rindt, James Hunt, etc.
All I can say is I'm excited to see where this takes us next in racing - sucks to be Williams right now.
what do you think peter windsor is feeling right now?
ReplyDeleteindeed if the breakaway goes ahead windsor & anderson cannot be... uh. thrilled. :-O
ReplyDeleteIf this split never gets undone, I wonder what the current F1 tracks will do? I am sure they have clauses in their contracts with the FIA they can use an escape plan.
ReplyDeleteIf not, Monaco will never be the same.
My guess is that track owners might be scared in the interim due to the change up, but will ultimately be happy to not be shelling out $10 million a race.
ReplyDeleteI hope they drop the singapore race. It looked great with the lighting but ultimately a boring race, just like the race( can't remember the name) held in a shipping yard. Go back to the 'Ring or Spa! Best race of last year!
I think many track owners will be ecstatic at the possibility of renegotiating the fees for races. They are also in a position of strenght as FOTA needs them. On the other hand, since there is a blank slate, there will be more competition to get those contracts.
ReplyDeleteMonaco will go with FOTA, I'm certain.
PS....MAX is sure doing well in our poll! :o)
ReplyDeleteMax and Bernie had it coming. Roll on the breakaway series :D If they add Silverstone, i'l be there!
ReplyDeleteThere was Grand Prix racing before there was "F1®".
ReplyDeleteSee ya Max. I guess you'll have more time to pursue your avocation of whipping boy... take that Andy Warhol clone with you, OK?