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[McLaren's Whitmarsh reportedly elected to replace Montezemolo as FOTA chairman]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/mclarens-whitmarsh-reportedly-elected-to-replace-montezemolo-as/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/mclarens-whitmarsh-reportedly-elected-to-replace-montezemolo-as/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/mclarens-whitmarsh-reportedly-elected-to-replace-montezemolo-as/#commentsFiled under: ,



There's only so many chairs one man can sit in at once. But Luca di Montezemolo has made an art out of pushing the limits. In addition to serving as chairman of both Ferrari and the Fiat group, the hereditary nobleman was, until recently at least, also chairing the Italian Confindustria employers' federation and the FIEG editorial organization. But something's got to give, and at the end of this year he's stepping down from his role as the founding chairman of the Formula One Teams Association.

In his place, according to the latest reports, will serve one Martin Whitmarsh, recently promoted to team principal of the McLaren team after Ron Dennis went off to concentrate on the emerging road car division. Meanwhile, Red Bull chief Christian Horner was reportedly elected to chair the Sporting Working Group while Ross Brawn stays on as head of the Technical Working Group within FOTA. The meeting of the team principals took place in Monaco on the heels of the F1 Business Forum and the Formula 1 Commission meeting.

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

McLaren's Whitmarsh reportedly elected to replace Montezemolo as FOTA chairman originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christian hornerChristianHornerf1formula 1formula oneformula one teams associationFormula1FormulaOneFormulaOneTeamsAssociationfotamartin whitmarshMartinWhitmarshmclarenross brawnRossBrawnwhitmarshTue, 15 Dec 2009 08:32:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Ferrari figures Raikkonen, Schumacher and Montezemolo to leave their F1 posts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/report-ferrari-figures-raikkonen-schumacher-and-montezemolo-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/report-ferrari-figures-raikkonen-schumacher-and-montezemolo-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/report-ferrari-figures-raikkonen-schumacher-and-montezemolo-to/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The times they are a-changin' in Maranello. As if the departures of Michael Schumacher, Ross Brawn and Jean Todt over the past few years wasn't enough to shake things up for the Scuderia, a new round of change-ups is looming on the horizon.

First up is Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 World Champion who Ferrari is paying to vacate his seat in order to make room for Fernando Alonso. Following earlier reports that Kimi would stand to make more by sitting out next season, the Finnish driver's manager has reportedly announced that he'll be taking a sabbatical. This, after negotiations with McLaren broke down over such issues as salary, promotional obligations and freedom to drive the occasional rally. Raikkonen's repeatedly reiterated that he's only interested in a winning team, and could take the year to hone his rally skills instead. A tie-in with Red Bull could provide him with a WRC drive and a return to F1 for 2011.

Meanwhile, Kimi's predecessor, Michael Schumacher, is reportedly changing his role with the team as well. For the past couple of seasons, Schumi has served as a special adviser to the Scuderia, often showing his smiling mug on the pit wall at various grand prix events. But while the seven-time World Champion has signed on for another three years to help with the development of future Ferrari road cars, his F1 role with the team has apparently ended. In an effort to sort out why Schumi won't be active with the team any longer, speculation has escalated that Michael could reunite with Ross Brawn and return to the cockpit as a driver for the newly christened Mercedes Grand Prix team, while others suggest he could join his former boss Jean Todt with a role in the FIA.

Finally, Luca di Montezemolo is eying a change in his role as well. The chairman isn't leaving his post as head of either Ferrari or parent company Fiat, but he has announced that he's likely to step down as head of the Formula One Teams Association. The representative body was formed to negotiate on the teams' behalf with the FIA and Formula One Management, but with Montezemolo's longtime underling Todt now heading the FIA, many have been citing a potential conflict of interest. For his part, Montezemolo says he wants to concentrate on his job as chairman of the Italian automakers. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Sources: Autosport and Autocar | Image: Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty]

REPORT: Ferrari figures Raikkonen, Schumacher and Montezemolo to leave their F1 posts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1ferrari raikkonenFerrariRaikkonenformula 1formula oneformula one teams associationFormula1FormulaOneFormulaOneTeamsAssociationFOTAkimi raikkonenKimiRaikkonenluca di montezemoloLucaDiMontezemolomercedes schumacherMercedesSchumachermichael schumacherMichaelSchumachermontezemoloraikkonenrally raikkonenRallyRaikkonenred bull raikkonenRedBullRaikkonenschumacherschumacher brawnSchumacherBrawnwrc raikkonenWrcRaikkonenWed, 18 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: FIA accepts amended Concorde Agreement, F1 dispute draws to a close]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/03/report-fia-accepts-amended-concorde-agreement-f1-dispute-draws/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/03/report-fia-accepts-amended-concorde-agreement-f1-dispute-draws/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/03/report-fia-accepts-amended-concorde-agreement-f1-dispute-draws/#commentsFiled under: ,



No one could have predicted what has happened so far in the Formula 1 this year. Brawn GP, a team that didn't even exist a few weeks before the season started, dominated the first half of the season, Jenson Button, who scored just three points in 2008, has won six of the first seven races, and the Formula One Teams Association threatened to leave and start their own series. Oh, did we mention Michael Schumacher is coming back to the series?

It appears that along with Lewis Hamilton's and McLaren's return to form in Hungary, normalcy has also come in the form of an amended Concorde Agreement that was approved by the World Motor Sport Council and the FIA late Friday night. The new contract between the F1 teams and CVC Capital, which is the commercial rights holder for the series, determines how revenue is distributed and sets the sporting and technical regulations through December 31, 2012.

Few details were given about the specifics of the agreement (though they should be released shortly on the FIA's website), but it has been announced that the teams agreed to restrict resources as an alternative form of cost cutting to budget capping. The only team yet to sign the agreement is BMW-Sauber, the principals of which have already announced that they will exit the series at season's end. According to the FIA, the team has until Wednesday to sign the agreement to allow a new operator of the team to race in the series next year.

[Source: F1-Live | Image: Shaun Curry/Getty]

REPORT: FIA accepts amended Concorde Agreement, F1 dispute draws to a close originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>F1FIAFormula 1Formula 1 2009Formula 1 Concorde AgreementFormula1Formula12009Formula1ConcordeAgreementFOTAMax MosleyMaxMosleyMon, 03 Aug 2009 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Ecclestone backing breakaway GP1 series?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/13/report-ecclestone-backing-breakaway-gp1-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/13/report-ecclestone-backing-breakaway-gp1-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/13/report-ecclestone-backing-breakaway-gp1-series/#commentsFiled under: ,



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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Well, folks, it looks like that elusive peace is slipping away yet again as the members of the Formula One Teams Association reportedly up and walked out of a meeting today with technical representatives from the FIA.

The meeting of the Technical Working Group was convened to iron out the details of the regulation changes for the near future, and included the ten current teams - of which eight are members of FOTA - as well as the three new teams joining the grid for next year. As of this writing, FOTA has yet to explain its specific reasons for the walkout. However, their exit indicates that the supposed deal between FOTA and the FIA is anything but finalized after Max Mosley (who reportedly agreed to stand down as FIA president as part of the deal) said he may yet run again - and Bernie Ecclestone continues to give the sport a black eye.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty]

Ruh-Roh: Formula One Teams Association reportedly walks out of meeting with FIA originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1federation internationale de lautomobileFederationInternationaleDeLautomobilefiaformula 1formula oneformula one teams associationFormula1FormulaOneFormulaOneTeamsAssociationfotafota meetingFotaMeetingtechnical working groupTechnicalWorkingGroupthe fiaTheFiaWed, 08 Jul 2009 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Musical Chairs: Kimi contests WRC Finland, Rossi considers Ferrari, F1 could grow 3rd car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/musical-chairs-kimi-contests-wrc-finland-rossi-considers-ferra/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/musical-chairs-kimi-contests-wrc-finland-rossi-considers-ferra/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/musical-chairs-kimi-contests-wrc-finland-rossi-considers-ferra/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Valentino Rossi tests a Ferrari F1 car - Click above for high-res image gallery

Typically F1 drivers come up through the formula racing ladder. But for every rule there's an exception, and that exception seems to be creeping up for Ferrari, who are facing a potential change-up in drivers that involves not just numerous racing classes but varied disciplines of motorsports.

First up is Kimi Raikkonen, the team's 2007 world champion who's been trying his hand at rallying. The Finnish driver has contested local-level rallies with limited success, but remains undeterred in entering the World Rally Championship stage in Finland next month. The event will be the first top-level rally for Raikkonen, and also the first professional rally on agravel surface following previous outings on ice, snow and asphalt. Given his level of performance lately in F1, if Kimi finds his footing in rally, he could make the switch.

If Kimi were to jump ship from F1, there's no lack of talent out for Ferrari, but the Scuderia could reach into a different talent pool and bring Valentino Rossi on board. The multiple MotoGP champion has tested for Ferrari on several occasions to considerable effect, and could be ripe for a switch from two wheels to four. But even if Kimi stays in F1, Rossi could find himself with an open door just the same as reports indicate that the terms of the new arrangement between the FIA and FOTA could make way for teams to field a third car in F1 in the near future.

[Source: Autosport and F1-Live]

Musical Chairs: Kimi contests WRC Finland, Rossi considers Ferrari, F1 could grow 3rd car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the Formula One waters, Max Mosley goes and sends a nasty-gram to Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) chairman and Ferrari head honcho Luca di Montezemolo threatening to back out of his promise to step down from his throne as leader of the FIA if he doesn't get a full apology ASAP.

It seems that Mosley is none too pleased by the way that FOTA have portrayed the events leading to the agreement between the teams and the FIA to run the 2010 Formula 1 season as previously scheduled. Says Mosley:
If you wish the agreement we made to have any chance of survival, you and FOTA must immediately rectify your actions. You must correct the false statements which have been made and make no further such statements. You yourself must issue a suitable correction and apology at your press conference this afternoon... [G]iven your and FOTA's deliberate attempt to mislead the media, I now consider my options open. At least until October, I am president of the FIA with the full authority of that office.
There's plenty more where that came from. Click past the break to read Max Mosey's letter to Luca di Montezemolo in its entirety.

[Source: Axis of Oversteer | Photo: makeroadssafe CC 2.0]

Continue reading Max Mosley renegging on promise to step down?

Max Mosley renegging on promise to step down? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After all of this year's soap opera stories in Formula One, it appears there will be a unified championship series next year after all. According to The Times UK, controversial F1 boss Max Mosley has been "forced into a humiliating climbdown as president of the FIA," and his reign is over effective today.

Apparently, with the Formula One Teams Association's (FOTA) plan to build its own breakaway series and take most of its highest-profile (and highest-dollar) draws away with it, the FIA realized that something had to be done. Eight teams, including Ferrari, McLaren, BMW Sauber, and Brawn GP had pulled out of the series over concerns relating to a new £40m budget cap (around $66m USD).

With Mosley's departure effective immediately, F1 teams and the sanctioning body have agreed to cost cuts with the goal of getting spending outlays back down to the that of the early Nineties within two years.

Mosley has agreed to end his 16 year term at the FIA and not seek re-election to another office.

[Source: Times UK | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty]

BREAKING: F1 reunites as Max Mosely reportedly forced to quit F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BrawnbreakingbreakingnewsF1FerrariFIAFormula 1Formula OneFormula1FormulaOneFOTAGPGrand PrixGrandPrixMax MoselyMaxMoselyMoselyWed, 24 Jun 2009 09:47:00 EST<![CDATA[That didn't take long, either: FIA reportedly drops lawsuit against FOTA, wants to talk]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/22/that-didnt-take-long-either-fia-drops-lawsuit-against-fota-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/22/that-didnt-take-long-either-fia-drops-lawsuit-against-fota-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/22/that-didnt-take-long-either-fia-drops-lawsuit-against-fota-w/#commentsFiled under: ,



Take a poll anywhere outside of Max Mosley's or Bernie Ecclestone's motor homes and you'll probably find a preponderance of F1 fans rooting for the Formula One Teams Association. When the FOTA announced a breakaway series for 2010, it took just about 12 hours for the FIA to uncork its laywers. Just two days later, says F1 Live, at the British Grand Prix, Mosley himself said "There won't be any writ. I think we would rather talk than litigate," so everyone could "sit down and iron out the last few difficulties."

After the vitriol in the FIA's lawsuit announcement and the matter of Mosley's rather grand persona, it's hard to believe that this 48-hour about-face is anything other than a frank admission that Formula 1 means little without its marquee teams. Bernie has also chimed in, saying the FOTA can't afford to run a breakaway series, and he can't understand why they'd want to try when he's already arranged everything for them.

Of course, it hasn't helped things that, also during the British GP, Mosley reportedly called the FOTA members "loonies." Nor does it help that the FOTA has already proposed a 17-race calendar for next year -- including Montreal, Indianapolis, Buenos Aires, and Magny Cours, and it has a new name for the series: New Formula. In spite of Mosley's repeated assurances that a deal is close, it can't be a good omen that the FOTA has said they are nowhere close to a deal. Indeed, it may be possible that the FIA might be obligated to oversee the new series. The next six weeks will be some of the biggest the sport has ever seen.

[Source: F1 Live | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

That didn't take long, either: FIA reportedly drops lawsuit against FOTA, wants to talk originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bernie ecclestoneBernieEcclestonef1fiaformula 1formula oneformula one teams associationFormula1FormulaOneFormulaOneTeamsAssociationfotalegalmax mosleyMaxMosleyMon, 22 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[That didn't take long: FIA sues the FOTA over breakaway series]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/19/that-didnt-take-long-fia-sues-the-fota-over-breakaway-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/19/that-didnt-take-long-fia-sues-the-fota-over-breakaway-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/19/that-didnt-take-long-fia-sues-the-fota-over-breakaway-series/#commentsFiled under: ,



Barely a half a day has passed since the FOTA announced it start a breakaway championship, and as predicted, the FIA has announced it's suing the rebel teams. The FIA's sternest words were aimed at Ferrari, saying "The actions of FOTA as a whole, and Ferrari in particular, amount to serious violations of law including willful interference with contractual relations, direct breaches of Ferrari's legal obligations and a grave violation of competition law."

Max Mosley has been saying for months that F1 can do without the Ferrari and its rebel cohorts, and that the teams would be left off the 2010 championship entry list if they didn't come into line. Apparently, even though the sport can survive without them, and even though there are plenty of other teams applying to get into F1, the FIA would rather not explore that option. Hence the 2010 entry list has been "put on hold while the FIA asserts its legal rights."

Call us crazy, but it looks like the FIA knows who puts the gold in the coffers. In one of the many statements made before the racing and litigating begins this weekend, BMW's normally reserved Mario Thiessen said that the FIA's position was unacceptable, and McLaren's Martin Whitmarsh said that a breakaway series would "be recognized as the major championship." Hat tip to James.

[Source: Crash.net]

That didn't take long: FIA sues the FOTA over breakaway series originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bernie ecclestoneBernieEcclestonef1fiaformula 1formula oneformula one teams associationFormula1FormulaOneFormulaOneTeamsAssociationfotalegalmax mosleyMaxMosleymotorsportsFri, 19 Jun 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[BREAKING: Formula 1 Teams Association announces breakaway series for 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/breaking-formula-1-teams-association-announces-breakaway-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/breaking-formula-1-teams-association-announces-breakaway-series/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/breaking-formula-1-teams-association-announces-breakaway-series/#commentsFiled under:



It's official: F1 is broken. At least, with the FOTA's announcement it will create a rival championship, it appears that F1 as we have known it is all but broken. Max Mosley and the FIA have gone back and forth with the FOTA for months, with neither side able to agree on a compromise and both sides claiming the other party is being intransigent.

After meeting at Renault's Enstone, England headquarters the eight "rebel" teams (Ferrari, McLaren, Toyota, Renault, BMW, Brawn, Red Bull, Toro Rosso) decided there was no way to proceed with the FIA, so it would proceed without the FIA. The crucial bits of their follow-up press release state:
"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.

"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."
The release goes on to address issues the FOTA has with the "commercial rights holder," by which they mean Bernie Ecclestone. If they mean what they've written, a more stable and less expensive F1 would be a victory for teams and fans. Track owners would probably also profit, since they pay Ecclestone more than ten million pounds simply for the right to hold an F1 race -- and that's part of the money the teams want a bigger share of.

Many observers have said the teams won't set up another championship because they're too focused on selling cars. But the FOTA has already spoken to Carmelo Ezpeleta, whose Dorna Sports company is in charge of Moto GP, and who has experience in taking control of the series from the FIM. If he can provide a turn-key solution, the teams can stick to doing what they do best.

We suspect the FOTA is correct and that brands, sponsors and promoters will follow the breakaway series rather than hang back with Williams, Force India and eight other teams in the F1 reset series. The question is: if those eight teams follow through, and assuming they take their contracted drivers, which series will get your attention next year?

For now, though, bring on the lawyers. Thanks to all who tipped in.

[Source: Autosport]

BREAKING: Formula 1 Teams Association announces breakaway series for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bernie ecclestoneBernieEcclestonebreakingf1formula 1formula oneformula one teams associationFormula1FormulaOneFormulaOneTeamsAssociationfotamax mosleyMaxMosleymoto gpMotoGpmotorsportsThu, 18 Jun 2009 20:16:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Formula One teams, drivers get serious on break-away series]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/report-formula-one-teams-drivers-get-serious-on-break-away-ser/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/report-formula-one-teams-drivers-get-serious-on-break-away-ser/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/report-formula-one-teams-drivers-get-serious-on-break-away-ser/#commentsFiled under: ,

FOTA team principals and drivers meet at last weekend's Turkish Grand Prix

It's all or nothing for the Formula One Teams Association. The body representing the majority of the teams is still in the process of negotiating with the FIA over the proposed drastic budget cuts, but insists that the FIA has to take all of them or none of them. If Max Mosley's budget cuts are imposed as planned, Ferrari, McLaren, BMW, Renault, Toyota, Red Bull and Toro Rosso say they will all pick up and leave, and take with them many of the sport's best drivers. Two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso and reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton, along with Felipe Massa, Nick Heidfeld, Mark Webber and Jarno Trulli have all pledged to follow their teams out from under the FIA's purview. But where will they all go? To a new break-away series.

The teams have threatened to leave the FIA Formula One World Championship before, but this time, things are getting serious. According to the latest reports, FOTA has already begun negotiations with Dorna Sports in anticipation of Mosley's rejection of their counter-proposal. The chief executive of Dorna, the company that runs F1's two-wheeled counterpart MotoGP, has reportedly agreed to run the new series for the break-away F1 teams. A few years ago, Dorna managed to wrestle the rule-making authority away from the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme - the FIA's motorcycling equivalent - and place it in the hands of the manufacturers. That's just what FOTA is looking for, and if Mosley sticks to his guns, it could be exactly what they'll get.

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

REPORT: Formula One teams, drivers get serious on break-away series originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dorna sportsDornaSportsf1fiafimformula 1formula oneformula one teams associationFormula1FormulaOneFormulaOneTeamsAssociationfotamax mosleyMaxMosleymosleymotogpTue, 09 Jun 2009 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Renault joins Ferrari with threats to leave Formula 1]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/renault-joins-ferrari-with-threats-to-leave-formula-1/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/renault-joins-ferrari-with-threats-to-leave-formula-1/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/renault-joins-ferrari-with-threats-to-leave-formula-1/#commentsFiled under: ,

Renault R29 F1 - Click above for a high-res image gallery

After hinting at its displeasure, Renault has joined the the threats made by other manufacturer-supported teams (Ferrari chief among them) that they'll quit F1 if the FIA doesn't change its proposed rules for next season. The motorsport governing body put forward a new set of regulations that would effectively create a two-tier system in Formula One, forcing teams to choose between severely capped budgets or even further restricted parameters for building and fielding their cars in the series.

Like the other corporate teams, Renault can afford to sit out the season, objecting that the teams' voices have fallen on deaf ears and that the FIA is governing unilaterally, putting the onus on Max Mosley to rethink his strategy or else watch all the major teams march out. With the deadline for registration rapidly approaching, the controversial FIA chief is set to meet with the Formula One Teams Association sometime this week to see if they can iron out a deal, so stay tuned, or follow the jump to read Renault's statement in full.


Gallery: 2009 Renault R29 F1


[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Renault joins Ferrari with threats to leave Formula 1

Renault joins Ferrari with threats to leave Formula 1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It is unclear whether reality show impresario Mark Burnett is actually the one running Formula 1, but the political goings-on of the series continue to overshadow what happens on the track. The FIA recently published the 2010 regulations with some novel inclusions: a winner-take-all system for determining the Championship (yes, again), a higher weight for cars to promote KERS usage, and a budget cap system that would let teams spending no more than £40 million have more technical freedom vs. the big-spending teams. Follow the jump for the rest of the rundown.

Continue reading FIA introduces two-tier cost structure and winner-take-all F1 Championship in 2010

FIA introduces two-tier cost structure and winner-take-all F1 Championship in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 May 2009 11:02:00 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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As if there could be any more drama before the 2009 F1 season begins, the recently (and hastily) implemented change to the points system has now been thrown out. This year's "winner take all" format was a variation on the gold medal system Bernie Ecclestone proposed last year that was likewise rejected by the teams.

According to Max Mosley, Ecclestone told the FIA that the teams were behind this revised points system, so the FIA "unilaterally" made the change. Yet the teams, which had proffered their own points system that put more space between first and second place finisher, scoffed at that explanation. No matter, because last year's points system is back in place. Consistency, except where the FIA is concerned, wins the day. Now we only have the diffuser controversy left to be dealt with...

[Source: Daily Telegraph]

REPORT: F1 scraps new winner-take-all format after teams protest originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Mar 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the wake of the FIA's shocking proposal to move to standardized spec engines across the Formula One grid, the participating teams have met to come up with alternative cost-cutting measures to implement in the sport. After what was described as an unprecedentedly unanimous meeting of team principals under the newly formed Formula One Teams Association, Ferrari's Luca di Montezemolo and Toyota's John Howett met with our favorite whipping post, Max Mosley, on neutral ground in Geneva to discuss alternatives.

Although the only official word following the meeting Tuesday in Geneva is that the discussions were constructive, reports indicate that considerable agreements were reached towards bringing down the costs of participation in Formula One without having to resort to spec engines. Among those measures reported include the life of each engine being expanded from the current two-race requirement to three and a requirement for each manufacturer to offer 25 engines for purchase by independent teams at 10 million euros per unit. Nothing has been officially announced yet, but the representatives are expected to meet again after the season's conclusion at the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix to further discuss the arrangements, which are tipped to be stop-gap measures for the coming two seasons while the FIA comes up with more reasonable proposals for the long term.

[Source: Autosport]

FIA and F1 teams reach agreement in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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