Formula One – British Grand Prix Edition
It’s time for the famous British Grand Prix, so have things in the world of Formula 1 settled down? Hell NO! Things are on the brink of total devastation and still the culprits are determined not to stand down and even to continue to destroy the world’s most popular automotive sport as we know it. Politics, I hate them! Politics and out-of-control egos are the death of everything grand, every time!
The FOTA, or the Formula One Teams Association has been pushed to the brink of deciding to form their own Championship starting in 2010, splitting away from the FIA created chaos. All of the established teams from Ferrari to McLaren from Renault to Toyota, maybe except for Williams, will be racing in this spin-away series next year. The fans overwhelmingly support the FOTA. Recent polls have determined this support overwhelmingly in recent on-line web sites. Yet, Max “The Nazi” Mosley refuses to step down his position regarding the rules or his very executive position within managing the FIA, as has been called to question by Sir Jackie Stewart. Sir Jackie, a World Champion of F1 and constructor of past, has been a constant yet realistic critic of the ego-driven exploits of Mighty Max Mosley. The FOTA has been recently been very vocal about the massive expense that is required just to enter F1 or for that matter even enter the gates!
Television revenues are tremendous and Bernie Ecclestone and the banker partners that “own” the rights to Formula One are minting the money all from the tremendous expenses incurred by the entrants, mainly the large or prestigious manufacturers like Ferrari, Renault, BMW, Mercedes Benz and Toyota. Last season, Honda called it quits as the rewards do not equate to always positive marketing efforts. The FOTA has repeatedly called for a more “fair” share of the revenues generated by the commercial rights holder, but this has fallen on deaf ears.
The FOTA is sighting fair racing rules for all of the entrants, fair costs associated with fan attendance and a logical and fair system of future considerations, the break-away series sounds like the beginning of the future, not the beginning of the “end” as some are predicting. If it isn’t broken, then don’t fix it, but if it is broken, then shoot it in the head!
Good luck FOTA, or maybe it turns out to be just another move on the table of the high-stakes Chess match between the powers and the powerful. For my sake and the interest of the entire F1 fan base, I certainly hope that true resolution is in order for the immediate future or I will find another venue for which to express my loyalty and passion!
Sounds like FOTA could be a great success