For sure that if the manufactures like Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, and etc... pulled out of F1, I and for certain not to follow it.

To me, FIA has made F1 lost some of it's prestigiousness, and it's not letting F1 be at the pinnacle of motorsports like it once was.

 

I didn't mention that he's delusional, but that's my take on events. He thinks he can make F1 be relevant without Ferrari, McLaren, etc.

 

Ah, no...

Ferrari and McLaren ARE Formula1.

 

Same here, I really hope the put a break away league together and start coming back to the US. That'll show Bernie and Max ...

 

^+1

With drivers taking the sides of their teams it is looking good as well.

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,189...387678,00.html

 

This is starting to feel more and more like the CART split of the 90s. Just hope the net outcome (two weaker, watered down series) is not the same.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/8108488.stm

 

 

God i hope the FIA doesn't ruin F1

 

Another story on it here...

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,189...388223,00.html

While I don't like Bernie and Max. I think this is terrible for the sport of open wheel racing. I was a huge CART fan until the series split, that completely ruined open wheel racing in the States. It was then I started watching F1. Now I'm affriad the same thing is going to happen over there....
I really hope Max steps down and the teams can all come to some sort of agreement where they all race under ONE banner in 2010.

This is a sad day for motorsports guys. One which we should not be cheering about.

 

Are you serious? This is the best thing that could have happened. I just saw this and am ecstatic!

Again, just because it won't be called Formula 1? Is that the reason?

It will mean better cars, same world class drivers, back to the old grass roots tracks that defined F1, no FIA. What is there not to cheer about? Seriously I don't understand. Formula 1 is a brand name. If it doesn't have the teams, the drivers or the tracks we have idolized, it is a brand name that means nothing.

If FOTA can stick together and organize this correctly (no reason why they shouldn't). All the teams will make more of a profit, ticket prices will be more accessible to the general public which will mean a growth of audience and TV rights for the new series can be distributed to the benefit of both the fans and the teams.

I am happy that FOTA stuck to their guns.

 

FOTA's official statement.

"Since the formation of FOTA last September the teams have worked together and sought to engage the FIA and commercial rights holder [Ecclestone], to develop and improve the sport," read the statement.

"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, 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."

 

Yes I'm serious... Yes it looks good now, but believe me this is NOT a good thing. Formula 1 is history... I feel it's a shame that it has come to this. I'm on the side of FOTA, just don't like the idea of a breakaway. FOTA has been doing a good job of curbing spending and they would have continued to cut cost even more in the future. I just didn't want to see it come to this...

 

You are right, Formula 1 is history... and thank goodness for that.

The teams hold the prestige, the pedigree and the real history. This isn't CART or INDY, it is a completely different proposition. We are talking about the likes of Ferrari, McLaren, BMW, Renault, Redbull, Toyota, Brawn. Every fan will follow the new series wherever it might be held, if it includes their teams and still places the fastest cars and drivers in the world on demanding tracks against one another.

I could also see them having two or three North America GPs. Since they know very well that we are their biggest market and they have always wanted to be more connected to the fans here. Imagine a Limerock GP, Leguna Seca GP or a Vegas GP through the famous strip even.

Many tracks that F1 abandoned can make a welcome return as well.

If F1 is to continue, FOTA should take over the regulations and management. Max steps down and Bernie can retire off somewhere and get his cut at the end of the year. But a new series is just as welcome, yes it would take a year or two to get organized and get TV rights and such worked out but all the infrastructure is pretty much in place to have it be a smooth transition in a short period of time.

We will soon see.

http://www.teamsassociation.org/

 

Man this really sucks if they start a breakaway series. Not that I'm a fan of Bernie and the FIA ...

A split series will ruin it for both, but it may not be avoidable at this point. I was really looking forward to watching USF1 in action next year, too. But, IMO, FIA and Bernie have been pissing on everyone for way too long ... both in regards to the teams and the circuits.

I see a lot of chatter about what the fans want, and personally what I want out of F1 is quite simple: the best high-tech race cars running on the best circuits with whatever drivers have the ***** to drive them. As far as I'm concerned they should bring the Nordschleife back into F1. If the current drivers are too chicken$hit to drive on it, then I'm sure we can find another set of drivers that will. Way too much whining in F1 over the past few years. Oh, and get rid of the engine restrictions. IMO that was one area where technology developed in F1 ultimately worked its way down into street cars. Aero developed for an open-wheel racer doesn't really apply too much to a street car.

l8r)