Mercedes GP
Brawn GP to withdraw from F1, FOTA set up new championship
By Phil Huff
June 19 2009
As we predicted yesterday, following whisperings that Silverstone and Montreal have contracts for races in 2010, Brawn GP, along with the other seven FOTA teams, are to go ahead and set up their own rival world championship.
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, but feel that they are being blocked by the governing body, who yesterday imposed a deadline of today to accept unconditional entry to the 2010 Formula One World Championship.
The eight teams, all the current F1 teams bar Force India and Williams (and, we believe, joined by Lola), have worked to make F1 financially viable, without allowing third parties to affect the business of Formula One, with the manufacturer teams providing assistance to the independent teams, a number of which, Brawn GP included, 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.
In coming to these agreements, each team had guaranteed entry to the F1 championship until 2012, assuming such changes were agreed.
However, according to FOTA the FIA and the commercial rights holder have campaigned to divide FOTA, with the wishes of the majority of the teams being 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.
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.
A full statement from FOTA will be released today. We also expect a response from the FIA.
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Discussion started by RealBrawnGP.com (IP Logged), 19/06/2009 01:30
19/06/2009 01:30
We knew something was up yesterday when we heard about contracts, even though preliminary, in place at Silverstone and Montreal.
Even at this stage though, a split is not necessarily the end result. There's still a couple of months to negotiate and, given what I'm aware of within FOTA, for once the FIA may be forced to capitulate.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:06:19:01:43:43 by Phil Huff.
Even at this stage though, a split is not necessarily the end result. There's still a couple of months to negotiate and, given what I'm aware of within FOTA, for once the FIA may be forced to capitulate.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:06:19:01:43:43 by Phil Huff.
Quote:lotus_nz
All I CAN SAY IS F8CK ME ....
+
Didn't think FOTA had the ballz to do it but hell has frozen.
Quote:SATAN
Didn't think FOTA had the ballz to do it but hell has frozen.
better wear your mittens.
regards tt
I'm glad. F1 is a spec sport now. I hope FOTA series will represent the true apex of motor sport.
I, like you Phil, realise that this may only be more rhetoric, but it actually feels like good news.
For too long Max & Bernie have ruled this sport and continued to bleed it dry so here's hoping that even if they all get back together, that it will be the end of the reign of terror.
I read today an article in this weeks autosport where the author reminded me that Max's future vision of F1 was a spec series with all the cars the same but liveried differently, and the drivers would be FIA employees.
Definately not my vision of the ultimate racing category.
Just hope they stick to their new found principles.
If it happens, I look forward to watching the new series with anticipation.
PS Wonder if a certain Ron Dennis will be back??
PPS Williams & Nico Rosberg F1 Champions 2010 ??
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009:06:19:07:41:40 by Demented.
For too long Max & Bernie have ruled this sport and continued to bleed it dry so here's hoping that even if they all get back together, that it will be the end of the reign of terror.
I read today an article in this weeks autosport where the author reminded me that Max's future vision of F1 was a spec series with all the cars the same but liveried differently, and the drivers would be FIA employees.
Definately not my vision of the ultimate racing category.
Just hope they stick to their new found principles.
If it happens, I look forward to watching the new series with anticipation.
PS Wonder if a certain Ron Dennis will be back??
PPS Williams & Nico Rosberg F1 Champions 2010 ??
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009:06:19:07:41:40 by Demented.
Hopefully this will represent the true return to racing. V10 engines, no rev limits or other limitations.
I wonder if Williams will enter the new series or stay in F1 (or both??) I'd hate to see the FOTA series go ahead without one of the greatest names in the sport on the grid.
I also wonder whether Prodrive and the other teams who didn't get accepted to F1 will look to the new series or hold out on an entry in the dilluted F1...
Here's what I'd like to see IF the FOTA series does happen:
1) Races at all the classic circuits that Bernie has walked away from - Silverstone, Montreal, Indy et al + some races at circuits in countries not currently on the calendar but that have strong links to F1's history - Argentina, Mexico and more
2) Technical freedom for the designers - more than 1 engine formula so we could have small capacity turbo charged engines against 3 litre V10's
3) NO stupid medals system!!
4) More access for fans on race day - I remember as a child going to a race at Donington with my dad (not an F1 race I might add) and we were able to get into the Paddock. They should run paddock tours and meet the team sessions over the race weekends
5) Consistant stewarding
6) MUST be on free-to-view television. I refuse to pay over the top for subscription sports services to only watch 1 sport on them!!
A budget cap?
When I was growing up all we had was a flat cap...
I also wonder whether Prodrive and the other teams who didn't get accepted to F1 will look to the new series or hold out on an entry in the dilluted F1...
Here's what I'd like to see IF the FOTA series does happen:
1) Races at all the classic circuits that Bernie has walked away from - Silverstone, Montreal, Indy et al + some races at circuits in countries not currently on the calendar but that have strong links to F1's history - Argentina, Mexico and more
2) Technical freedom for the designers - more than 1 engine formula so we could have small capacity turbo charged engines against 3 litre V10's
3) NO stupid medals system!!
4) More access for fans on race day - I remember as a child going to a race at Donington with my dad (not an F1 race I might add) and we were able to get into the Paddock. They should run paddock tours and meet the team sessions over the race weekends
5) Consistant stewarding
6) MUST be on free-to-view television. I refuse to pay over the top for subscription sports services to only watch 1 sport on them!!
A budget cap?
When I was growing up all we had was a flat cap...
Williams has a contract that lasts until the end of 2012. So they'll stay in F1 with Force India.
Williams and some others may have a contract but it will be up to Williams how much effort they put into complying with that contract. There is nothing to stop them entering with a couple of rookie drivers an engine limited to 8000 revs that will last the whole season and 4 pit crew who take a couple of minutes to change a wheel.
Congratulations to FOTA. It's nice to see that like all petty tyrants Mosley has blamed the teams today and is insisting on going ahead and bringing F1 to an end by sticking to his rules.
Congratulations to FOTA. It's nice to see that like all petty tyrants Mosley has blamed the teams today and is insisting on going ahead and bringing F1 to an end by sticking to his rules.
yay, so we'll end up with 2 series with half-full grids, a crazy power-hungry man in one group and a load of teams in the other unable to arrange anything properly and eventually making their series go bankrupt, these teams then having to sign up to the fledging remaining series while meanwhile a seperate stock car or possibly a touring car series rises from the ashes to prominence...
I think I've heard this all before...
F1 is dead. It is sad that neither side bothered looking to the history books
I think I've heard this all before...
F1 is dead. It is sad that neither side bothered looking to the history books
Ian Anderson on 5live extra suggests, as do many others, that this will all be sorted by the end of the day, but I have my doubts and if it isn't and Max releases an entry list without the 5 (noncontracted) FOTA teams, then there's no going back.
Did sort of laugh a bit when he suggested that with all the money the manufactiurers had spent they were being beaten by the small teams like FI who in fact operate within the proposed new budget cap anyway.
Wanted to text in and point out that FI were using McLaren engine and gearbox and had McLaren tech support so he could hardly claim that the manufacturers were not good for the sport.
Anyway I do believe he may be correct in his assessment of the eventual outcome, but part of me hopes these teams do try and run there own series but as M00t says they only have to look at CART and INDYCAR to see what eventually happens when people loose sight of the big picture.
Did sort of laugh a bit when he suggested that with all the money the manufactiurers had spent they were being beaten by the small teams like FI who in fact operate within the proposed new budget cap anyway.
Wanted to text in and point out that FI were using McLaren engine and gearbox and had McLaren tech support so he could hardly claim that the manufacturers were not good for the sport.
Anyway I do believe he may be correct in his assessment of the eventual outcome, but part of me hopes these teams do try and run there own series but as M00t says they only have to look at CART and INDYCAR to see what eventually happens when people loose sight of the big picture.
They say the new series will "encourage more entrants." How? On the basis that the FOTA teams want it to be more expensive? As it stands, they'll have to run three cars to have respectable grids so the costs will actually go up.
I just hope "transparent governance" doesn't mean "What is good for Ferrari is good for FOTA."
Having said that, I must admit I'll watch both series if the breakaway does happen. I just don't see how it can be good for the sport. I've seen it fail in American open wheel, and I've seen American sports car racing struggle for years until IMSA, aka ALMS, and Grand-AM found their unique roles (ALMS still struggles for grids outside of the GT2 category).
I just hope "transparent governance" doesn't mean "What is good for Ferrari is good for FOTA."
Having said that, I must admit I'll watch both series if the breakaway does happen. I just don't see how it can be good for the sport. I've seen it fail in American open wheel, and I've seen American sports car racing struggle for years until IMSA, aka ALMS, and Grand-AM found their unique roles (ALMS still struggles for grids outside of the GT2 category).
Earlier in the week I touched on Lola's withdrawal from F1, before the final deadline had been reached, and suggested they may have aligned themselves with FOTA. I have nothing to back that up, but speaking to some people locally, that's the impression I have.
N.Technology have today withdrawn, and do appear to have aligned themselves with FOTA, with N.Tech saying it no longer wants to be involved in a sport without the major manufacturers.
If I'm right about both, that takes the FOTA series to ten teams and twenty cars.
Max really does have a battle on his hands.
Cima Racing | Twitter
N.Technology have today withdrawn, and do appear to have aligned themselves with FOTA, with N.Tech saying it no longer wants to be involved in a sport without the major manufacturers.
If I'm right about both, that takes the FOTA series to ten teams and twenty cars.
Max really does have a battle on his hands.
Very interesting what you say indeed Phil. That may mean that FIA would run sort of teams to run their "official" F1 and ultimately forced to accept all the conditions desired by FOTA teams/championship, and perhaps have a again our F1 back in 2011...
Racing against the machine!
Racing against the machine!
The FIA is to issue legal proceedings without delay against the Formula One Teams Association following their threat to begin a breakaway series.
Cima Racing | Twitter
gtuner,
would it be more expensive when you take into account that bernie and cvc aren't taking 500 million off the top to pay for their investment? heck, bernie owes the teams tens of millions each that he hasn't paid the past couple of years.
phil,
that's interesting news from the grapevine. i wonder will prodrive be far behind and if williams and/or FI decide to jump ship as well if no solution is found.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:06:19:16:48:01 by Nsxotic.
would it be more expensive when you take into account that bernie and cvc aren't taking 500 million off the top to pay for their investment? heck, bernie owes the teams tens of millions each that he hasn't paid the past couple of years.
phil,
that's interesting news from the grapevine. i wonder will prodrive be far behind and if williams and/or FI decide to jump ship as well if no solution is found.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:06:19:16:48:01 by Nsxotic.
This has to be posturing on FOTA's part. If FOTA start a new series, a) who policies it? b) will there be a budget cap? No new teams are likely to join unless there is! c) what will sponsors do? Likely to either tear up there contract or want to reduce payments considerably.
I just don't see it happening! And if it does what state will it be in? Is it possible for a new series to get up and running in less than a year? No, this is a game (a very serious and dangerous game at that) in trying to get MM to impose his proposed change(s) gradually.
Somebody will have to give a little, and that somebody has to be the FIA...
I just don't see it happening! And if it does what state will it be in? Is it possible for a new series to get up and running in less than a year? No, this is a game (a very serious and dangerous game at that) in trying to get MM to impose his proposed change(s) gradually.
Somebody will have to give a little, and that somebody has to be the FIA...
i doubt there would be a budget cap but they need to somehow ensure that the new series is not a pure spending war, which some mfrs are not interested in.
as for it being dangerous to try to get this running in a short time frame, for the big teams it is worse to stick with F1. with a budget cap they have to permanently lay off staff.
as for it being dangerous to try to get this running in a short time frame, for the big teams it is worse to stick with F1. with a budget cap they have to permanently lay off staff.
And that's why the FIA will compromise and give in to the idea of a staggered cost cap.
Over the course of this weekend you are likely to see Bernie stepping in. He has a lot to loose...
Over the course of this weekend you are likely to see Bernie stepping in. He has a lot to loose...
the budget cap is an issue IMO but the main issue is MM and how he runs the sport on his own whim and with his ego. Either MM is gone/agrees to new ways that rules are implemented or there will be a new series IMO.
Quote:steve664npc
And that's why the FIA will compromise and give in to the idea of a staggered cost cap.
Over the course of this weekend you are likely to see Bernie stepping in. He has a lot to loose...
Well you know I think if Max was interested in compromise he would have moved towards a staggered cap a long time ago. Or you do think he's just playing around seeing how much he can fracture FOTA before agreeing to compromise? If that's the case it's not working.
I don't think anyone would argue that change has been needed for a long time. If sensible changes cannot be made within the present system then the only option for FOTA is to take the course they have. I really don't think the majority of FOTA teams want to break up F1, but they feel they have been left with no choice. I would certainly back whatever course of action Brawn take, and I imagine most fans would do the same. As long as I can see our guys racing I don't care who is running the show.
And I've now got word that Prodrive are keen to join up with FOTA.
11 teams, 22 cars.
Cima Racing | Twitter
11 teams, 22 cars.
From what Phil have been stating so far it seems like Bernie and Mad Max have more to lose than the FOTA teams.
I say lets go FOTA, if you really do come through with all of your promises.
I say lets go FOTA, if you really do come through with all of your promises.
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