Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[In Bad Taste: Ecclestone calls Senna's death "good for F1"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/in-bad-taste-ecclestone-calls-sennas-death-good-for-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/in-bad-taste-ecclestone-calls-sennas-death-good-for-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/in-bad-taste-ecclestone-calls-sennas-death-good-for-f1/#commentsFiled under:



Believe it or not, nobody has put a muzzle on Bernie Ecclestone yet. After having publicly praised the likes of Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein, the Formula One chief has made headlines once again by characterizing the death of Ayrton Senna as "good for F1."

Clarifying his comments, Ecclestone noted that while it was "unfortunate" to have lost the three-time world champion widely remembered as history's greatest driver, the publicity his death generated ultimately helped the sport attract new followers.

As if the remarks couldn't have been any less sensitive or more revolting in their own right, they were shockingly made to the press in Senna's home country of Brazil - where the 2009 world championship was tied up this weekend - after meeting with the late Senna's sister Viviane and her son Bruno. The late great's nephew is reportedly being closely considered for a race seat next season with either Campos or Manor, two of the new teams joining the grid for the 2010 championship. That is, assuming Bruno can bear the thought of working with someone who characterizes the death of his family member as good for business.

[Source: F1-Live | Image: Clive Rose/Getty]

In Bad Taste: Ecclestone calls Senna's death "good for F1" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At the risk of sounding like the end of a cheesy kung-fu movie, the future of the Japanese Grand Prix is safe...for now. After Toyota confirmed it could no longer host the race at its Fuji Speedway, Honda has reportedly stepped up to secure a new deal with Bernie Ecclestone to hold the race at its Suzuka circuit for the next three years. Hiroshi Oshima, president of Honda's Mobilityland division met with Ecclestone in Valencia at the European Grand Prix this past weekend to sign the contract.

The Suzuka International Racing Course hosted the event twice in the early Sixties before the Japanese Grand Prix switched to Fuji. Suzuka hosted again from 1987 through 2006, after which an alternating agreement was signed between the two tracks. With Suzuka now set to host until 2011, Honda will hold the race but field no team, while Toyota continues to compete but host no race...for now.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

REPORT: Suzuka secures future of Japanese Grand Prix for three years originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This year was the first in Formula One history that had absolutely no presence in North America. But that could change for next year if the latest reports from Canada are any indication, as insiders suggest that a new deal between race organizers and government officials on the one hand and Bernie Ecclestone on the other is in the closing rounds of negotiations.

Ecclestone pulled the plug on the Canadian Grand Prix - the only F1 race in North America and a longstanding fixture of the F1 calendar - last year after municipal, provincial and federal government officials refused to pay his exorbitant fees. But after a year without the race in Montreal, Ecclestone has reportedly changed his tune and agreed to a substantially reduced (though still highly lucrative) deal with local officials that would cut his fees by a reported $100 million, down from his previous demanded guarantee of $175 million to the governments' counter-offer of $75 million.

The F1 chief's actions are suspected to be influenced by the new Concorde Agreement - F1's secretive profit-sharing deal - with the teams eager to return to North America and Ecclestone weary of losing more manufacturers from the series following the departure of Honda and BMW. Thanks to everyone who sent in tips!

[Source: The Globe and Mail via F1-Live | Image: Paul Gilham/Getty]

REPORT: Ecclestone cuts rates to bring Grand Prix back to Montreal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Aug 2009 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bernie Ecclestone didn't get to be a billionaire by waiting for things to come his way. With the threat of a breakaway series seemingly very real once again, the man credited with making Formula 1 what it today is has apparently decided to make sure he is on it. F1 Live reports that last month, Ecclestone filed trademark application papers for Formula Grand Prix, Formula GP, and GP3, in addition to applying to protect his GP1 and GP1 Series logos.

If there were a breakaway series and the teams wished to continue working with Ecclestone, in theory, they could step right into a GP1-GP2-GP3 set-up. On the other hand, even suggesting such an alliance could get the FIA and its controversial president Max Mosley back to the table in a more conciliatory mood, potentially heading off a splinter series.

It isn't clear why any teams would want to stay with Ecclestone if there were a breakaway, since he's continually mentioned as one of the reasons the Formula One Teams Association is unhappy. Various rumors have the FOTA cutting Ecclestone out, but things won't get any clearer until the next teams meeting on Wednesday.

[Source: F1 Live | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty]

REPORT: Ecclestone backing breakaway GP1 series? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After attempting to clarify and apologize for his recent and controversial professed admiration for Adolf Hitler's ability to "get things done," F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has reportedly added fuel to the fire by blaming "the Jews" for failing to address the worldwide banking crisis.

Ecclestone apparently issued the controversial comments in response to calls made for his resignation by the community advocacy organization World Jewish Congress. According to Ecclestone, "It's a pity they didn't sort the banks out.... They have a lot of influence everywhere." He would go on to add that his colleague - FIA president Max Mosley, the fascist leader's son who made headlines for allegedly engaging in a Nazi-themed S&M orgy with several prostitutes - would make a good prime minister.

In addition to protests lodged by Jewish organizations worldwide, elements within Germany have publicly stated that they are appalled by Ecclestone's comments, which come just days before the start of the German Grand Prix. Government officials in Germany have already canceled meetings with Ecclestone, while some have speculated that the series' German teams - which include McLaren-Mercedes and BMW Sauber as well as the Cologne-based Toyota team - could boycott Ecclestone's leadership, whatever practical implication that would have. Either way, following hot on the heels of FOTA's near split with Formula One's management, Ecclestone would do well to watch his next step. Thanks for the tip, Sparky!

[Source: Daily Mail | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty]

FOLLOWUP: Ecclestone fans flames again, reportedly blames Jews for banking crisis originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you think the domination of Brawn GP has shaken things up in Formula One, that's nothing compared to what could be in store for the F1 grid in the next year or two. While the FIA toys with budget caps and all manner of new regulations, several prospective teams are lining up at the potential of entering the field at a reduced cost. Following earlier reports that Lola, Aston Martin and several current GP2 teams are toying with the idea of jumping into top-tier grand prix racing, Bernie Ecclestone hinted at a press conference during this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix that not one, but two American entries are in the works.

Now the first we know to be the USF1/USGPE team being prepared for next year by Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor. That squad recently announced the hiring of veteran NASCAR and NASA aerodynamicist Dr. Eric Warren to help design their car and run the team. But reports now suggest that either Penske or Andretti Green Racing could be contemplating taking the leap as well. Both outfits were recently competing in IndyCars and the American Le Mans Series, Penske adding NASCAR to its list and Andretti Green having jumped into A1GP after pulling out of ALMS. And both names are familiar to the world of F1 racing, Mario and Michael Andretti having each raced in F1 and Penske having fielded a team there in the '70s. But Formula One is a different game altogether from the sport which Penske and the Andrettis knew in their day, and the jump would constitute a serious leap for either squad. Stay tuned for more.

[Source: F1-Live | Image: Robert Laberge/Getty]

Penske, Andretti Green contemplating jump to F1? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 May 2009 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Formula 1 so far this year has probably provided a lot more excitement than anyone expected, and in a change from the usual, this time a lot of it is good. The two races so far have seen a heap of on-track passing - and not just of backmarkers - as well as an inversion of the standings: McLaren and Ferrari near at the bottom, Brawn (née Honda) and Toyota are at the top.

Much of that has been credited to the diffusers that the Brawn (above) and Toyota teams are using, which, along with the Williams diffuser, have been challenged as illegal by the other teams. Today, the FIA Court of Appeal will hear arguments for and against the diffuser design and a decision is due Wednesday. It is being reported already by The Daily Mail, however, that the court of appeal will declare the diffusers legal, not wanting to contradict the FIA stewards in Australia and Malaysia, as well as the FIA race director Charlie Whiting.

Ross Brawn has been called out specifically by both Bernie Ecclestone and Renault's Flavio Briatore because he is the technical representative for the Formula One Teams Alliance. Both accused him in a roundabout way of using the rules to his advantage from his privileged position and leaving the others in the dust. In reply, Brawn said "I did explain that I felt we should have a different set of rules to simplify what needed to be done. I offered them, and they were rejected. We needed to clean the rules up, but nobody was interested. They're interested now."

[Source: The Daily Mail]

Rumormill: Pending F1 diffuser decision will favor Brawn, Williams, Toyota originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While Formula One has been a relative constant for the past several decades, the various feeder series running up the ladder to the pinnacle of international motorsport seems to always be in flux. The FIA recently announced plans to revive the old Formula 2 series with a new low-cost format to compete with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone's contemporary GP2 championship, but Bernie isn't about to let himself be dominated by Max Mosley without putting up a good fight.

To that end, Ecclestone is now reported to be working on launching a new GP3 series. The new feeder series would sit one step below GP2, which itself has supplied a crop of new talent - including Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Heikki Kovalainen, Nelson Piquet Jr. and Timo Glock - to the F1 grid every year since its inception in 2005. GP3 would compete directly with the fractioned Formula 3 - under which separate series operate around the world without a single united championship - and swallow the International Formula Master's series established last year. While Mosley's discredited vision of a low-cost Formula 2 would cap annual budgets at 200,000 euros per car (compared to the 800,000 euro cost of the F3 Euroseries), GP3 could keep things down to the more realistic 450,000 euro budget required in the aforementioned IFM.

Bottom line: there's a war of racing series going on between Mosley and Ecclestone, and racing fans could stand to benefit from the competition.

[Source: F1-Live]

Ecclestone moves to establish new GP3 series originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ecclestonef2f3feeder seriesFeederSeriesformula 2formula 3formula threeformula twoFormula2Formula3FormulaThreeFormulaTwogp2gp3grand prix 3GrandPrix3Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Owners refute rumors of firing Ecclestone and selling F1]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/07/owners-refute-rumors-of-firing-ecclestone-and-selling-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/07/owners-refute-rumors-of-firing-ecclestone-and-selling-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/07/owners-refute-rumors-of-firing-ecclestone-and-selling-f1/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Rumors have been circulating that CVC, the commercial rights holders to Formula One, have considered selling the series. But before that could happen, they would have to give Bernie Ecclestone the boot.

The reports were fueled by comments made by Max Mosley, the embattled president of the FIA, who related to reporters that conversations about the subject had taken place with executives at CVC. According to Mosley's conclusion, CVC would consider selling Formula One if a huge offer were made - possibly by an Arab consortium - but Ecclestone would need to be replaced because "the whole business depends on a man who is 78 years old". However, CVC issued a strong statement at this past weekend's race in Hungary that it had no immediate plans to sell F1 and was pleased with its performance as well as that of Bernie Ecclestone.

[Source: Autosport, Photo by Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty]

Owners refute rumors of firing Ecclestone and selling F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Despite Bernie Ecclestone's initial support of his colleague Max Mosley, Ecclestone is now publicly urging the embattled FIA president to cancel his planned trip to Bahrain to oversee the grand prix there this coming weekend.

The humiliation which Mosley apparently pursued in a disturbing sexual escapade involving multiple prostitutes in a sado-masochistic nazi-themed orgy was outdone only by the embarrassment which resulted from the public revelation of the episode in the British tabloids. Following the news breaking, Mosley declared he would proceed as normal as if nothing had happened, but Ecclestone says his colleague should think again. Citing public opinion and predicting that the royal family in Bahrain "wouldn't like it" if he came to their country, Bernie expressed concern that the news at the event would be dominated (pardon the expression) by Mosley's scandal instead of remaining focused on the race itself. Mosley's "business as usual" approach may require some further thought, to say the least. Thanks for the tip, Schwag of Tulsa!

[Source: The Times of London, Photo by Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty ]

Ecclestone to Mosley: don't come to Bahrain originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reports emerging over the weekend indicate that GP2 has been purchased by CVC Capital Partners for a reported $300 million. Dang.

What's GP2, you ask? It's a second-tier "feeder" racing series started in 2005 to give up-and-coming drivers a place to display their skills on a worldwide scale and a place for F1 teams to find new talent. The series was intended to replace the ageing Formula 3000 series, and has so far proven fairly successful. Nico Rosberg won the title in the series' inaugural season, and he's racing in F1. Lewis Hamilton won the championship last year and went head-first into title contention the next season in F1. Timo Glock won the crown this year, and will be heading to Toyota F1 next season. (Heikki Kovalainen and Nelson Piquet Jr. also made the jump to F1 through GP2.) Sounds like the idea has met its potential so far.

So who, then, is CVC Capital Partners? It's the private equity firm with a history of turning international racing series around into successful ventures. Contrary to popular perception, it's actually CVC that manages Formula One, having purchased the rights from Bernie Ecclestone and his associates in 2005 (although Bernie then bought an undisclosed portion of the CVC subsidiary running the show). Prior to effectively buying F1, CVC turned MotoGP into the successful two-wheel racing series it is today.

While it remains to be seen what tangible effects the deal with bring to bear on the series - it was Bernie who co-founded GP2, after all, and CVC already held the TV rights - it's bound to bring GP2 even closer to F1 in the coming seasons. The bottom line is that if you want to know who is next year's F1 rookie, watch GP2.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Formula One parent company buys GP2 Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next year's Formula 1 calendar could contain an unprecedented 20 races. One of those races will be held for the first time on the island state of Singapore, and according to Bernie Ecclestone, it will be held at night. Both IRL and NASCAR have night races, so why not Formula 1? The reasons aren't just for spectacle, either: a night race in Asia will be more convenient for viewers in Europe and the US, and after all, for Bernie this is all about television revenue.


A few drivers, most notably current F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso, are against night racing. Alonso apparently imagines a number of horrors happening at the same time: "What if it rains? All those painted lines. What if the lights go out?" However, Singapore is a notoriously fastidious state that will work overtime to make sure its first F1 race and the first ever night race come off safely. It has also indicated that the race will be held at night only so long as everyone has faith in the safety of the event. Ecclestone, as usual, doesn't appear to be worried -- he's sure the race will happen after dark, saying "I think that we can stop discussion about the possibility of holding this race during the day."

[Source: Fox Sports]

Singapore gets first F1 race in 2008, and it's at night! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 May 2007 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1bernieecclestonef1formulanightracesingaporeMon, 14 May 2007 17:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Jean Alesi fronts new Asian stock-car series]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/01/jean-alesi-fronts-new-asian-stock-car-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/01/jean-alesi-fronts-new-asian-stock-car-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/01/jean-alesi-fronts-new-asian-stock-car-series/#commentsFiled under: ,

Who ever would have thought a Will Ferrell movie would ever be considered "prophetic," even jokingly? The absurd story of a French racing driver switching over from F1 to stock cars as the last remaining challenge is coming to life again and again. But unlike Jacques Villeneuve (or Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya), Jean Alesi isn't gunning for NASCAR. The former Formula One star is the first big name to sign on to the Speedcar Series.

The new racing league will pit 24 drivers against each other in identical 600-hp stock cars in 18 races over 9 weekends across Asia. We hope to get a glimpse at the cars in a few days when Alesi hits the Virginia International Raceway for the first test session on March 5-6. What we know now is that the specially-built cars will feature a tubular fiberglass chassis and power from 600-hp engines built in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The inaugural season of the Speedcar Series, which is backed by F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, kicks off in November and runs through April 2008.

[Source: Speedcar Series via F1-Live]

Jean Alesi fronts new Asian stock-car series originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Mar 2007 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alesiasiaberniecareastecclestonef1farjeanmiddleseriesspeedspeedcarstockThu, 01 Mar 2007 09:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Not so fast: new F1 circuits aren't happening yet, says Tilke]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/18/not-so-fast-new-f1-circuits-aren-t-happening-yet-says-tilke/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/18/not-so-fast-new-f1-circuits-aren-t-happening-yet-says-tilke/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/18/not-so-fast-new-f1-circuits-aren-t-happening-yet-says-tilke/#commentsFiled under:

Despite all the ongoing rumors of this country and that preparing bids for F1 czar Bernie Ecclestone, few of them are anywhere near that stage. As track designer Hermann Tilke has pointed out, many of the speculative locations lack circuits that would be ready to host grands prix.

Tilke has to his credit the designs of most of the new F1-spec race tracks around the world, including Malaysia, Bahrain, Istanbul and Shanghai.In addition to those, he's working on Abu Dhabi's. The overwhelming likelihood is that Tilke Engineering would be commissioned to draw up the plans for any new track if prospective organizers are serious about their F1 bids.

In an interview with British publication Autosport, Tilke said that Mexico, India, Russia, South Africa and Greece are a long way from making their Formula One dreams realities. Mexico, he says, is stalled with political problems, India and Russia are merely topics for discussion, plans for a return to South Africa are "dormant" and the Greek bid has "fizzled out." That leaves plenty of room for progress on each front, but then again, there are a lot of countries vying for Tilke's talents...and for Bernie's attention.

[Source: F1i]

Not so fast: new F1 circuits aren't happening yet, says Tilke originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Feb 2007 07:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>architectberniecircuitdesignecclestoneengineeringf1formulagrandhermannoneprixtilketrackSun, 18 Feb 2007 07:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Abu Dhabi event draws big crowd - Bernie wants more]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/abu-dhabi-event-draws-big-crowd-bernie-wants-more/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/abu-dhabi-event-draws-big-crowd-bernie-wants-more/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/abu-dhabi-event-draws-big-crowd-bernie-wants-more/#commentsFiled under:


Click on the image above to view more pictures from the event.

As promised, organizers put on quite the spectacle on Saturday when the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was officially announced. Tens of thousands of people reportedly turned out for an F1 demonstration on the streets of the gulf emirate that featured all the big-name drivers, including Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. No big surprise that Ferrari sent both its driving aces to the event, but Spyker's absence seems conspicuous. Abu Dhabi crown corporation Mubadala Development is a minority shareholder in both teams.

Follow the jump for the rest of the story plus the official press release.

Related posts:

[Source: AbuDhabiGP.com]

Gallery: Abu Dhabi GP street event

Continue reading Abu Dhabi event draws big crowd - Bernie wants more

Abu Dhabi event draws big crowd - Bernie wants more originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Feb 2007 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abuannouncementberniedhabiecclestoneemiratef1formulagrandlaunchoneprixraceuaeTue, 06 Feb 2007 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Breaking news: FIA puts the squeeze on Formula 1 manufacturers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/22/breaking-news-fia-puts-the-squeeze-on-formula-1-manufacturers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/22/breaking-news-fia-puts-the-squeeze-on-formula-1-manufacturers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/22/breaking-news-fia-puts-the-squeeze-on-formula-1-manufacturers/#commentsThe International Automobile Federation (FIA) and its President Max "My Way or the Highway" Mosley seems determined to bully into submission the five members of the Grand Prix Manufacturers Association, who have threatened to set up a series in competition with Formula 1. On Wednesday, the FIA's motor sport council rubber stamped Mosley's plan to force teams to commit to participating in the 2008 Formula 1 championship by the end of March. A very interesting exchange of letters between the GPMA and Mosley before and after the council meeting shows that Mosley is playing hardball, and enjoying it.

Only teams who have pledged fealty to Mosley signed up for the 2008 season will be able to participate in discussions which will affect the rules package that goes into effect for the 2008 season. Despite the GPMA's 11th hour objections in its letter (pdf link) to Mosley,  the motor sport council's Wednesday meeting also approved the FIA's rules package (which will be the basis for discussion with the teams). Among other controversial elements of the package is a plan to freeze engine development for 3 years, starting in 2008. [More after the jump]

Continue reading Breaking news: FIA puts the squeeze on Formula 1 manufacturers

Breaking news: FIA puts the squeeze on Formula 1 manufacturers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Mar 2006 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ecclestonef1fiaformula 1formula onegpmamax mosleyMaxMosleyWed, 22 Mar 2006 12:35:00 EST