FOTA announces breakaway series !!!

[Hun200kmh]

Yes.

And a broadcast would be funny. Could replace a Spanish Soap Opera.

I think you mean an Anglo-Italian Soap Opera with an international cast.

Meanwhile, I was searching myself and got this from the FIA website:

The World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) has responsibility for all aspects of international motor sport. It meets at least four times a year to decide on rules, regulations, safety and development of motor sport at every level from karting to Formula One.

The WMSC is made up of the FIA President, the Deputy President for Sport, the seven Vice-Presidents and 17 Members who, with the exception of the FIA President, must represent a National Sporting Authority with at least one event entered on the International Sporting Calendar. Of those, 21 Members, with the exception of the President, the Deputy President and the three Members by right, are of different nationalities.

The Members by right are the President of the International Karting Commission (CIK), the President of the Promotional Entity for the Formula One Championship and the President of the FIA Manufacturers' Commission*.

The priorities of the WMSC are:

-To administer international motor sport

-To promote continuously improving safety standards in all forms of motor sport

-To encourage and implement the adoption of common regulations for all forms of motor sports and series across the world

-To encourage and develop all forms of motorsport, especially amongst the young and in developing countries



*This seat may be chaired by either the Chairman of the Manufacturers’ commission or by the representative of Ferrari SpA.

So, I guess the "Jean Todt" reference in the WMSC wiki page will mean, in this meeting, Di Montezemolo himself. I guess Gabrielle Cadringher won't be there.

 

[LancerEvo7]

^^Red Bull owns RBR in NASCAR as well as the two F1 teams.

 

[SaberFire]

Red Bull have enough money to buy the moon.

 

[Famine]

The as-yet-unnamed FOTA series schedule has been leaked...

Provisional FOTA 2010 schedule:
March 3 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Last hosted F1 in 1998
March 21 - Mexico City, Mexico - Last hosted F1 in 1992
April 11 - Jerez, Spain - Last hosted F1 in 1997
April 25 - Portimao, Portugal - Never hosted F1
May 2 - Imola, San Marino - Last hosted F1 in 2006
May 23 - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Current F1 host
June 6 - Montreal, Canada - Last hosted F1 in 2008
June 13 - Indianapolis, United States - Last hosted F1 in 2007
July 1 - Silverstone, United Kingdom - Current F1 host
July 25 - Magny-Cours, France - Last hosted F1 in 2008
August 15 - Laustizring, Germany - Never hosted F1
August 29 - Helsinki, Finland - Never hosted F1
September 12 - Monza, Italy - Current F1 host
September 26 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Current F1 host
October 10 - Marina Bay, Singapore - Current F1 host
October 24 - Suzuka, Japan - Last hosted F1 in 2006
November 8 - Adelaide or Surfers' Paradise, Australia - Last hosted F1 in 1995/Never hosted F1

The source is named as Eurosport, though I've NO idea of the credibility...

 

[Metar]

Some of these sound suspicious, but I fully expect Indianapolis, Jerez and Montreal to be on the final calendar. Two of these just couldn't afford the FOM's payments, and Jerez got shafted by the FIA after that problem in the 1997 Podium Ceremony.

Monza and Monaco must be on the calendar, and Suzuka, Portimao, Imola, Silverstone and Magny-Cours are also very reasonable.

 

[Danoff]

Yay! Exactly what I've been hoping for. I will definitely give any breakaway series a shot. What people are forgetting to mention here is that this is a direct result of my boycott of Formula 1. FOTA has felt the pressure of my lack of viewing and has decided to make this move in an attempt to get me back - and I commend them for it.

We Did It!! Bubblegum and Bennigan's coupons for everyone!

 

[Hun200kmh]

The as-yet-unnamed FOTA series schedule has been leaked...


The source is named as Eurosport, though I've NO idea of the credibility...

That's probably wishful thinking. Singapore is said to be under exclusive contract with FOM.

Anyway, I think a FOTA series would be very similar to that list, with 2 or 3 GPs in North America, 1 or 2 in South America, 1 in Japan, 1 in Australia, 1 in the Middle East (Abu Dhabi confirmed interest) and all others in Europe.

 

[m7ammed]

is Max Mosely living on the moon, he says

"It is extraordinary that at a time when all five manufacturers involved are in great financial difficulty and relying on taxpayers money, their Formula 1 teams should threaten a breakaway series in order to avoid reducing their Formula 1 costs.

"It remains to be seen whether the boards of the parent companies will allow precious resources to be wasted in this way."

I don't know how he thinks businesses work, but an F1 team principle I would think reports to the head of the company and its board eventually, and I wouldn't think any of those teams would have actually agreed to a breakaway series unless they are actually got approved from higher levels, no?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

The as-yet-unnamed FOTA series schedule has been leaked...

The source is named as Eurosport, though I've NO idea of the credibility...

I was wondering when someone would post this. It was first leaked by a Slovakian journalist two days after the FOTA breakaway. I find it incredibly suspect given that FOTA have already said they're not doing anyhthing until after the WMSC meeting tomorrow; they obviously need to know where Ferrari, Red Bull and Toro Rosso stand. If you look at the dates given, a lot of them fall mid-week as opposed to weekend, but there's a few other things:

- Buenos Aries, Mexico City, Jerez, Imola and Surfers' Paradise are all outdated and lack proper pit facilities.
- Monaco, Abu Dhabi, Monza, Suzuka and Marina Bay are all bound to Bernie through to 2012 (except Monaco, which is through 2010, but that's moot point).
- The organisers of the Adelaide race have said they don't want Formula One back, while the Mayor of Helsinki said there isn't enough time to build a circuit and Norbert Haug said no Buenos Aries.
- Mosley's claims that Formula One could return to Silverstone were designed to appeal to the BRDC, who hold a lot by tradition, and given the choice are more likely to go to Formula One than FOTA.
- Flavio Briatore has been one of Magny-Cours' biggest critics; I can't see FOTA running there if he was one of the biggest advocates for a breakaway.

 

[Metar]

- Buenos Aries, Mexico City, Jerez, Imola and Surfers' Paradise are all outdated and lack proper pit facilities.

Jerez is most certainly F1-capable as far as the track goes, as proven by the testing done - especially with a recent resurfacing - and it has the space to expand the pits - which already house GT racing, F3 and top-level Motorcycles (MotoGP, and I think WSBK too?). You don't need lavish Shanghai-style grandstands to compete. Jerez is still F1-capable right now, but lost it's GP due to political reason - FIA vowed not to race F1 there again following a problematic podium ceremony in 1997.

Imola was thoroughly revamped following it's removal after 2006. It now has a slightly changed layout (Tilke advised, I might note) and up-to-spec modern pits. Like Jerez, it holds a "1T" status, allowing official testing there - so the track is ready for racing.

- Monaco, Abu Dhabi, Monza, Suzuka and Marina Bay are all bound to Bernie through to 2012 (except Monaco, which is through 2010, but that's moot point).

...except they don't belong to him. Suzuka, Monza and Monaco, at least.

Monaco's Prince already said he's going where Ferrari goes. Monza holds many races, and the mass of Tifosi that visit an F1 weekend means they'll go on the FOTA calendar (wherever Ferrari is). Suzuka isn't even a certainty on the F1 calendar, should Honda follow Toyota and pull the plug on that.

- Mosley's claims that Formula One could return to Silverstone were designed to appeal to the BRDC, who hold a lot by tradition, and given the choice are more likely to go to Formula One than FOTA.
- Flavio Briatore has been one of Magny-Cours' biggest critics; I can't see FOTA running there if he was one of the biggest advocates for a breakaway.

These two are nonsense. Regarding Magny Cours: It's the only high-level track at the moment in France - Flav wants a French GP, and when you're putting together a calendar for a series that starts in 9 months, you will forget dislikes easily. As for Silverstone, they've already almost broke down due to Bernie's cost, and there's no telling which track they'll choose.


EDIT: I just typed a lot of useless stuff. This is a bit more precise.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Didn't Paul Ricard express interest in hosting a race? To the FIA, they're considered a test venue only, but they might go with FOTA. And if we get bored, the circuit can be flooded.

Then again, I'm pretty sure Ecclestone owns it.

 

[Earth]

Any reason why this won't hurt openwheel racing like the CART / IRL split did?

It should be noted that NASCAR took full advantage of that split to become the most popular motorsport in America by far

I have a feeling sportscars may take advantage of this split

 

[RACECAR]

Funny you bring that up as its only been ironically in open wheel(so far that I've seen at least) that has had these issues going on.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Any reason why this won't hurt openwheel racing like the CART / IRL split did?

It should be noted that NASCAR took full advantage of that split to become the most popular motorsport in America by far

I have a feeling sportscars may take advantage of this split

It seems like the large majority of the fans are siding with FOTA. FOTA actually seems more in touch with the fans and what they want. With the major teams leaving, there won't be much left to F1. F1 will get all the scraps.

 

[Metar]

Didn't Paul Ricard express interest in hosting a race? To the FIA, they're considered a test venue only, but they might go with FOTA. And if we get bored, the circuit can be flooded.

Then again, I'm pretty sure Ecclestone owns it.

Paul Ricard is indeed owned by Bernie, but even worse: Since it's purchase, it has been converted to a "High-Tech Test Circuit" - including that flooding-system - and lacks grandstands and proper racing-facilities.

Any reason why this won't hurt openwheel racing like the CART / IRL split did?

It should be noted that NASCAR took full advantage of that split to become the most popular motorsport in America by far

I have a feeling sportscars may take advantage of this split

Well, I think there are a few differences. First off, this split is far less "a split of equals" - almost all the teams and drivers have defected, and the only thing FIA-F1 have in their favour is the existing structure and two of the old teams (one of which may move to FOTA-F1, too). Secondly, if I'm not mistaken, NASCAR was already quite a popular sport in the US - but GT and Prototype racing in Europe is so much less popular than Formula 1 is, at the moment.

 

[Ardius]

I feel sorry for Williams in this mess, they have little say in anything now and are subject to whatever the FIA decide to do.

 

[Alltidxx]

It seems like the large majority of the fans are siding with FOTA. FOTA actually seems more in touch with the fans and what they want. With the major teams leaving, there won't be much left to F1. F1 will get all the scraps.

Yup. I don't think it is quite so difficult as some would like to portray this whole new series thing. Sure, keep an eye on history to see if something can be learned and therefore applied today and note that similar split has caused trouble before, but mainly look forward and deal with current situation as it stands. A can't-do attitude has sprung from ideas portrayed as facts while not even FIA or FOTA are clear themselves of what can and cannot be done. The fans support FOTA, FOTA have the teams, TV wants to renegotiate terms to jump on breakaway series bandwagon, tracks are available and why wouldn't they be when the new series will probably not charge tracks huge sums to run there. So there might be court costs from breaking up, why not just take that one time startup cost to build a better future? So there are questionmarks on how to govern and other stuff, why is it assumed to go to ****s? **** is what we got now.

I don't see why a new series is so doomed at all. Good on FOTA for standing their grounds.

 

[Ardius]

Well, its doomed if its governed by the teams. Thankfully, Ross Brawn's comments suggest it probably won't be. However, giving the teams more say in the sport is going to lead to problems. I mean, Flavio might be agreeing with the other teams for now..but it wasn't so long ago he was calling Brawn essentially cheaters - imagine what would happen if Flavio had some say over rules or penalties?

FOTA's series is not bullet-proof perfect, competitiors are naturally not going to be the best people to rule themselves. You always need an un-biased (in the sense of not being related to the competitors) side to judge a competition, no matter what sport its in.

 

[Small_Fryz]

Yay! Exactly what I've been hoping for. I will definitely give any breakaway series a shot. What people are forgetting to mention here is that this is a direct result of my boycott of Formula 1. FOTA has felt the pressure of my lack of viewing and has decided to make this move in an attempt to get me back - and I commend them for it.

We Did It!! Bubblegum and Bennigan's coupons for everyone!

indeed. I find this a classic case of strangling the golden goose..

Bosses in general should see what is happening here, at the end of the day you are are nothing without your staff/team. If they get up and go, your left with nothing.

Power to the people! i will certainly follow Ferrari and Fota.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

It's over. Reports from Germany suggest there will be no breakaway series, that Mosley will resign in October and Ecclestone will supply more money to the teams. I don't have a source just yet - I picked it up by skimming the Autosport forums, and half a dozen different people have reported it - but as soon as I do, you'll have it.

EDIT: And here it is!

F1 resolution found, says Mosley

An agreement has been reached between Formula 1's governing body and the teams to prevent a breakaway series, says FIA president Max Mosley.

The two parties had been engulfed in a bitter row over planned budgetary and technical changes for the new season.

But it appears a resolution has now been found and, as part of the deal, Mosley has agreed not to stand for re-election as president.

"There will be no split. We have agreed to a reduction of costs," added Mosley.

"There will be one F1 championship but the objective is to get back to the spending levels of the early 90s within two years."

F1 surpremo Bernie Ecclestone added that he is "very happy common sense has prevailed", following a meeting of 120 members of the FIA in Paris aimed at resolving the crisis.

Ahead of the meeting, Mosley had insisted that he would not step down as part of any potential agreement and might even seek re-election as head of world motor sport.

He hit out at what he described as "wholly unjustified criticism" of the FIA, adding: "It is for the FIA membership, and the FIA membership alone, to decide on its democratically elected leadership, not the motor industry and still less the individuals the industry employs to run its Formula 1 teams."

However, it appears Mosley has now agreed to move aside when his fourth term as FIA president ends in October, while writs that had been threatened against Ferrari and the other teams in the Formula 1 Teams Association (Fota) - McLaren, BMW Sauber, Renault, Toyota, Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso and Brawn GP - are likely to be shelved.

"It's come as a bit of a surprise, given that Fota were planning to meet in Bologna on Thursday to discuss their plans for the breakaway championship," stated BBC sports news correspondent James Munro in Paris.

"But what we got today after a meeting of World Motorsport Council was an impromptu press conference and Mosley began by saying there will be no split, there will be one championship.

"He said that over the course of the negotiations he had been able to secure guarantees from the teams who were threatening to get away that they would try to reign back the levels of their spending to the levels they were spending in the early 90s.

"It was him that had come up with the idea that next season all teams would have a budget cap of about £40m, but there has clearly been a trade-off as he has also agreed to do what he says was always the plan - stand down as president of the FIA this October."

And so Formula One survives.

 

[Hun200kmh]

I'll wait the details, but getting rid of Mosley without getting rid of Bernie is, IMHO, a big mistake by FOTA. And probably a huge dissapointment for the fans.


In yesterday's news we had Hockenheim quitting on F1, because they don't have the money needed (by Bernie). What I liked more about FOTA was the start of a dream, meaning, affordable F1 (whatever the name), in traditional venues, with filled grandstands, with reasonably priced tickets and with the big teams.

I just hope that whatever deal was achieved, Germany, UK, France, Canada and the US get their GPs back.

 

[Small_Fryz]

I'll wait the details, but getting rid of Mosley without getting rid of Bernie is, IMHO, a big mistake by FOTA. And probably a huge dissapointment for the fans.


In yesterday's news we had Hockenheim quitting on F1, because they don't have the money needed (by Bernie). What I liked more about FOTA was the start of a dream, meaning, affordable F1 (whatever the name), in traditional venues, with filled grandstands, with reasonably priced tickets and with the big teams.

I just hope that whatever deal was achieved, Germany, UK, France, Canada and the US get their GPs back.

and hopefully we dont loose ours (Australia)

 

[TheCracker]

Good, common sense has prevailed. A breakaway series was never going to be a good thing for the sport.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I'll wait the details, but getting rid of Mosley without getting rid of Bernie is, IMHO, a big mistake by FOTA. And probably a huge dissapointment for the fans.

How exactly is Bernie Ecclestone a bad thing? Sure, he charges a lot for races. And yes, he moves races away from the European heartland. But he knows more about setting up Grands Prix than anybody else, and some of the reports suggest that the terms of the deal include a bigger cut of commercial rights being re-directed to the teams. He can go in the future, but with such a major conflict, the sport needs some continuity for the sake of keeping things stable.

 

[Alltidxx]

So what exactly has been won I wonder? What deal was good enough for FOTA?

 

[TheCracker]

So what exactly has been won I wonder? What deal was good enough for FOTA?

We'll have to wait for the official FOTA announcement for that, but i guess there was a step down on the £40m budget cap or at least a higher cap agreement along with some more of the FOM income pie and perhaps more of a say in regulations.

 

[Soundtrack]

So what exactly has been won I wonder? What deal was good enough for FOTA?

I suppose we will have to wait the publication of the final technical and sporting regulation to clear that out. I’m curious to know how the controversial “budget cap” will be implemented. As far as Bernie's money is concerned this will most probably stay under the discretion of the next Concorde agreements.

 

[Soundtrack]

The World Motor Sport Council met in Paris on 24 June 2009. The following decisions were taken:

FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

All currently competing teams have committed to the FIA Formula One World Championship.

There will be no alternative series or championship and the rules for 2010 onwards will be the 2009 regulations as well as further regulations agreed prior to 29 April 2009.

As part of this agreement, the teams will, within two years, reduce the costs of competing in the championship to the level of the early 1990s. The manufacturer teams have agreed to assist the new entries for 2010 by providing technical assistance.

The manufacturer teams have further agreed to the permanent and continuing role of the FIA as the sport’s governing body. They have also committed to the commercial arrangements for the FIA Formula One World Championship until 2012 and have agreed to renegotiate and extend this contract before the end of that period.

All teams will adhere to an upgraded version of the governance provisions of the 1998 Concorde Agreement.

The following teams have been accepted for the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship.

TEAM

SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO
VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES
BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM
RENAULT F1 TEAM
PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING
SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO
RED BULL RACING
AT&T WILLIAMS
FORCE INDIA F1 TEAM
BRAWN GP FORMULA ONE TEAM
CAMPOS META TEAM
MANOR GRAND PRIX
TEAM US F1

CONSTRUCTOR

FERRARI
McLAREN MERCEDES
BMW SAUBER
RENAULT
TOYOTA
STR TBA
RBR TBA
WILLIAMS TOYOTA
FORCE INDIA MERCEDES
BRAWN TBA
CAMPOS COSWORTH
MANOR COSWORTH
TEAM US F1 COSWORTH

In view of this new agreement and with the prospect of a stable future for Formula One, FIA President Max Mosley has confirmed his decision not to stand for re-election in October this year.

from here

 

[GilesGuthrie]

And thusly, nothing changes.

 

[Dougboy]

Haha, all that commotion to achieve.......?