ScoobyDriverWannabe

The Formula One Teams' Association announced on Thursday night that it is setting up a breakaway championship.

Following a four hour meeting at Renault's Enstone factory, the eight members of FOTA said it had grown frustrated with the FIA's stance against it and that it had no option but to create its own championship.

"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," said a statement.

"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."

autosport.com - F1 News: Teams to launch breakaway series

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Well it was on the books, max n bernie have killed the sport

Tony

Funkii Munkii

Just been reading that on the Beeb

This will throw the cat amongst the pigeons and to be honest the sport needed something like this to happen, there is too much greed in F1, especially by those that run it.

This story will grow and grow, lawsuits could be flying all over the place !!

Milamber

iTrader: (2)

Milamber

iTrader: (2)

From FOTA


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.

Markus

This will be interesting, and in some ways a good move as there should be no favoritism from a governing body towards any team. Of course it could be a moot point as it could force Max and Bernie to change their minds, but Max has been adamant he won't change.

sbk1972

Good !! The sport has now become so expensive for Fans, TV, merchandising, that something had to be done.

Also, the site of the little **** Bernie mkaes me want to hit him. When you see him out, with his 6ft tall young g/f, sickening ! It looks disgusting.

Mind you, football is worse. That *** of a player who's transferred over for £80m ? or something ? £80m for kicking a ball ! Total madness !

SBK

michaelro

BBC can't be happy, how much did they bid for the F1 contract?

Milamber

iTrader: (2)

Bet Donington shares will plummet even further with this news.

HankScorpio

So where would they race with most of the current circuits tied to F1.

Back at Silverstone (Brands would be great)
Kylami
Adelaide
Laguna Seca
Imola
A1 Ring
Zandvoort

(all from my gaming knowledge )

mrtheedge2u2

They could surely use the same tracks as F1 but simply at another date??

Snazy

Interesting times.
Already saying tickets would be much cheaper etc.

Agreed, Brands would be superb, but would need a lot of money throwing at it too.
Next few weeks should be interesting to follow, see whats happening with sponsor money, track agreements.
Wonder if ITV will get coverage rights? Cant wait for some commercial breaks mid race again!

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

I really hope this is implemented, but I'd imagine the Max and Bernie show have tied in a few circuits and TV companies so it would take a few seasons to break contracts and for them to finally disappear.

It will be interesting to see how the BBC will report on this in qualifying and the pre-race show - how many seasons are they tied into FIA F1?

Petem95

I think Max and Bernie have shot themselves in the foot here. Their power-grabbing and greed has ruined F1, and I'm happy that they will lose out as a result.

Who will be watching top-level FOTA GP with all the top teams and drivers, and who will be watching Max and Bernies watered-down F1?....

Jerome

I think this will be brilliant for the sport.

Too many egos in F1 at the moment.

Nimbus

Canada as well? I always liked the circuit.

Simon C

Sliverstone have already said they would support the breakaway according to the news this morning.

EddScott

They must have an idea of the tracks they can go to. Bernie owns some and I would imagine they'll be clauses in other tracks contracted to "F1 Classic" so "F1 Newage" might struggle to find tracks. Also 8 teams isn't enough unless they run 3 cars each.

Also Max and Bernie can manipulate TV showing of other motorsports - they did it with rally and they did it with GT racing so no other series endangers F1 Classic on TV.

Personally I'm 95% sure next year we will have one series with 12 or 13 teams and a full grid. The usual suspects less BMW but with added Prodrive Aston Martin, Lola and some Yank team.

Bernie is a greedy git and Max is a control freak (Zeik Heil!) but I don't hate either of them. Bernie's dry wit is highly amusing and Max well, who wouldn't want 3 hookers, a large whip and a nice cuppa afterwards?

ScoobyDriverWannabe

Imola doesnt seem to be in the best of conditions
Archived Report - San Marino GP, Imola (Italy) - UK Urban Exploration Forums

A couple more old tracks
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/...ad.php?t=13299

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/...ad.php?t=12689

Scoob99

iTrader: (1)

Can't say I'm surprised this has been coming for a long time, and if I'm honest I'm glad it as happened, It's about time Ecclestone and Moseley got a swift kick up the **** and I think this will shake them up, 2010 could be a great season, bring it on!!!!!!!
Cheers
Colin

Steve vRS

Trial Mountain

Steve

Milamber

iTrader: (2)

That was from way back in 2007, they've done the track up since then.

michaelro

Just read somewhere that the contract is 5 Years and £200M.

I think the BBC are a bit slow and should be letting license fee payers know if the contract they have can be cancelled (ie if Mclaren and Ferrari don't compete).

Who wants to watch some rubbish teams crawl round a track, A1GP or GP2 is there for that...

One other thing that could be a problem is AFAIK F1 has to be shown on a free to air channel - FOTA could sell their rights to SKY...

So many questions

Who's going to supply all the engines to F1? Cosworth
Williams must be gutted they signed up, can they cancel?
Can Ferrari and Red Bull race in both versions?

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Didn't a similar thing happen in the US with the Kart racing? it split and became IndyCar racing and Kart racing, not sure which was which but I don't think they're both still running?

richie001

iTrader: (3)

I believe that both Indy and Cart series merged to become Indycar series.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Makes F1 look like a complete joke. This has been on the cards for sometime, but the newly formed FOTA group has put some bite behind its bark.

Mosely should be shot for what he has done to damage the sport. Name another person that would still have their job after having a 5 way domination themed orgie. Pathetic. The man is power hungy, nothing more, nothing less. I wish the car makers all the best as they have had to put up with Max's ****e for far too long.

stilover

Can't see this going ahead. Max & Bernie will give in if they think the teams really are serious.

Rules are changing again next year. Why? Just leave them alone. Stability is what is needed to stop fans getting confused and turning off.

Make a Budget cap more realistic. Say $100m. This excludes staff/driver wages etc.

Bernie went out of his way (The last time there was a possibility of a Manufactureres split) to sign up all the F1 tracks into long term contracts, thus making sure any breakaway championship couldn't use these tracks.

Bernie is a greedy B*stard though. Wants more and more money from any given venue to host a GP race. Think Silverstone were paying £12m.

Teams have had little of the money made in F1. Barnie keeps it for himself.

The FIA will give in, but so will FOTA. A compromise will be agreed. One hopes.

The rule changes for this year were spot on. Low downforce, slick tyres. Car look far better without wings sticking out all over the place.
Just leave alone now.

Markus

Bernie and Max might simply let them get on with it, and see how tough it'll be to get tracks to race on and sponsors for a series that may not have any major media coverage. Then after a year of trying and not getting anywhere, they'll come crawling back and Max and Bernie can place whatever limitations on them that they want.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

I doubt they'll do that. FOTA hold every jewel in the crown. The best teams (commercially as well as performance wise) and the best drivers for starters.

A myriad of circuits are available, Canada, Indy, A1 Ring, Kyalami, Imola, Zandvoort, Suzuka, Jerez, Nurburgring/Hockenheim, Monaco (not contractually bound to F1) even Silverstone.

Media coverage??? Easy - the new F1 series with Ferrari, McLaren et al and better rules and cheaper entry.... even in these times of economic hardship media companies will be battering down their door.

The only logistical issue will be the time available to organise this. It can, however, be done I am sure.

ScoobyWon't

Bathurst with the Aussie Touring Cars supporting!

And the Manx TT course for some scary street action