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[Todt elected FIA president]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/todt-elected-fia-president/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/todt-elected-fia-president/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/todt-elected-fia-president/#commentsFiled under:



Jean Todt, the Frenchman who has led championship-winning teams in WRC, Paris-Dakar, Le Mans, and Formula 1, has been elected to head the FIA. He succeeds the long-serving and highly controversial Max Mosley, who agreed to step down earlier this year as part of the agreement to prevent a rival manufacturer-led championship series. Todt won the vote by 149-35, defeating Ari Vatanen -- the same Vatanen who won those four consecutive Paris-Dakar races for Todt's Peugeot team.

Todt assumes his position with the platform of "constructive change," at the same time as he praised "the extraordinary achievements of Max Mosley's 16 years as President of the FIA in both sport and mobility." He will not only have the backing of the FIA representatives, but the list of candidates that he put forth and that were all, to a man, elected as well.

The question is whether Vatanen's defeat is also a blow to a higher grade of motorsports management. Vatanen felt the FIA needed a thorough overhaul -- perhaps one of the reasons he didn't muster many votes, since many of the people he needed to win were the same ones who might be purged if he did. Mosley's reign could be considered highly successful overall; we will find out if Todt can continue the growth without the gaffes, clashes, and egoistic explosions.

[Source: The Associated Press]

Todt elected FIA president originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Those who bemoan modern Formula One settling its rivalries in the courtroom instead of on the race track have another set of examples to bring up at the pub as news emerges of the settlement of two lawsuits related to the top-tier racing series have emerged over the course of the weekend.

In one case, Scuderia Toro Rosso and its dejected driver Sebastien Bourdais reportedly settled a dispute of the premature termination of the contract between the two parties. When the team fired Bourdais in favor of Jamie Alguersuari, Bourdais proclaimed that he was looking into legal recourse against the team. Reports now indicate that the two parties settled out of court, with STR reportedly paying Bourdais salary plus damages in the amount of $2.1 million. Speculation is rising that the French driver will return to racing in the U.S., where he racked up an unprecedented four consecutive Champ Car titles before his ill-fated move to Formula One.

Meanwhile, departing FIA president Max Mosley has reportedly settled his case against German newspaper Bild over the publication of his sordid sex scandal for which he sued the publisher for $2.35 million. According to reports, Mosley and Bild settled for $290,000 which will be distributed to two charities, as well as the publication of an interview to clear the record. The settlement follows the $100,000 in damages and $760,000 in legal fees awarded last year to Mosley from the News of the World, the British tabloid which originally broke the story.

[Sources: F1-Live and GrandPrix.com | Image: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty]

Max Mosley, Sebastien Bourdais settle individual lawsuits originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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: Former Ferrari chief Jean Todt confirms candidacy for FIA president]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/report-former-ferrari-chief-jean-todt-confirms-candidacy-for-fi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/report-former-ferrari-chief-jean-todt-confirms-candidacy-for-fi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/report-former-ferrari-chief-jean-todt-confirms-candidacy-for-fi/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The heat is on as former Ferrari chief executive Jean Todt has reportedly confirmed his candidacy for FIA president. The Frenchman has been touted as a potential head of the international motorsport governing body and automobile federation for years, with rumors intensifying following his resignation from the top spot at Ferrari over a year ago. However, reports now indicate that the renowned racing strategist will stand for the office to replace the departing Max Mosley.

Todt has a wealth of experience in a variety of motorsport disciplines. After a brief career as a rally co-pilot, Todt went on to head up Peugeot's racing program, bringing the French automaker titles at Le Mans, Dakar and the World Rally Championship. He then went on to head the Scuderia Ferrari F1 team, orchestrating an unprecedented winning streak together with Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn. Todt was eventually named chief executive of the entire Ferrari operation, a post from which he stepped down last year, while retaining certain influential positions for Ferrari including his seat on the FIA World Motorsport Council.

The son of a Holocaust survivor, Todt's family history appears at odds with Mosley's, to say nothing of Bernie Ecclestone's recent comments. But that didn't stop Mosley from endorsing Todt (or Todt from accepting Mosley's endorsement) as his successor when he finally announcing his intention yesterday not to seek re-election this coming October.

Todt has already assembled part of his 22-member slate, including New Zealand's Brian Gibbons and Britain's Graham Stoker as vice-presidents and American Nick Shaw, current FIA deputy president, to preside over the FIA Senate. He'll be running against Ari Vatanen, a former Dakar and World Rally Champion and current member of the European Parliament.

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

REPORT: Former Ferrari chief Jean Todt confirms candidacy for FIA president originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Could the end finally be at hand for the Max Mosley/Formula One soap opera? The embattled FIA president has apparently backed away from potential threats to seek a sixth term in office after all, instead deciding to endorse Jean Todt, team principal for Ferrari's F1 team. The announcement came as part of a letter sent Wednesday to all FIA member clubs.

The missive quotes Mosley as saying:
"Extremely grateful though I am for all the letters, e-mails and messages I have received, I have decided to reconfirm my decision. I will not be a candidate in October... To continue now would greatly complicate my domestic arrangement and be inconsistent with my obligations to my family, particularly after our recent loss. Also, I have felt for some time that I would like to work less. After all, I will be 70 next year."
Despite not seeking re-election after 16 years, Mosley will apparently still maintain a seat on the FIA Senate.

For his part, Todt, 63, has not yet indicated that he is interested in running for the position, but if he decides to do so, he will be campaigning against ex World Rally champion Ari Vatanen, 57, who reportedly announced his candidacy last week. Check out a copy of Mosely's letter to FIA members after the jump.

[Source: Telegraph UK | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

Continue reading Mosley reportedly says he won't seek sixth term as FIA President. Again. Finally.

Mosley reportedly says he won't seek sixth term as FIA President. Again. Finally. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>F1FIAFIA presidentFiaPresidentFormula OneFormulaOnejean todtJeanTodtMax MoselyMax MosleyMaxMoselyMaxMosleymotorsportsWed, 15 Jul 2009 10:01:00 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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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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With Max Mosley due to end his tenure as president of the FIA in October, the recent rift between the current Formula One championship and the Formula One Teams Association has apparently been healed. Now the big question on everyone's minds in the motorsport world is: Who will replace Mosley?

Speculation has already grown its legs, with several rumored candidates already being vetted in the motorsport press. The most obvious candidate is Michel Boeri, who currently presides over both the Monaco automobile club as well as the FIA senate and who, according to some earlier reports, is already stepping in to take over some of Mosley's responsibilities. Mosley, however, refuted such reports, and doesn't think Boeri would be interested in his job. Current FIA Vice-President Hermann Tomczyk, who was touted as a potential Mosley replacement amidst the latter's recent scandal, told members of the German press he's not interested in the job, either.

Meanwhile, many are looking to Jean Todt, the former Ferrari team principal who recently retired (save for his liaison role between the Scuderia and the FIA) and who has long been touted as a potential FIA president. Toyota team principal and FOTA veep John Howett says the association would prefer someone with no ties to any of the teams, but he also noted that it'll be the FIA's own constituents who will have the final say and not the teams association.

For his part, Mosley says he'll endorse a specific candidate if there is more than one in the running. As reported earlier, the always controversial and embattled figure says he's owed an apology from FOTA for what he claims were blatant misrepresentations to the media about the nature of the agreement between the two motorsport groups. If he doesn't get his apology, Mosley says he could call the whole thing off and stand for re-election in October, which would make this whole discussion rather academic, to say nothing of the future of the sport and its regulatory body.

[Sources: Autosport and F1-Live | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

Who'll replace Mosley as FIA President? Could be...Mosley originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:32:00 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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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There has been no shortage of recent complaints over Max Mosley's leadership of the FIA. Last year, it looked like he'd be forced out of his position at the head of the motorsport governing body, while this year he's been at the source of controversy over new regulations that could yet see the majority of the teams in Formula One walk out. But few are as appalled by Mosley's leadership as Jody Scheckter.

The 59-year-old 1979 F1 World Champion, who remained Ferrari's last champion until the Schumacher era, has admitted that the FIA's leadership, which he characterized as a dictatorship gone wrong, has caused him to consider handing back his title. The only Jewish world champion in Formula One history, Scheckter's opposition to Mosley - the son of a British fascist leader with strong ties to the Nazi party and a character recently embroiled in an alleged Nazi-themed S&M orgy - are perhaps more deeply rooted than most.

[Source: F1-Live | Image: Bryn Lennon/Getty]

Jody Scheckter to give back F1 title? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 May 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mosley leaves the meeting in London with F1 team principals on Friday

With the May 29 deadline for registering for the 2010 Formula 1 season fast approaching and the bulk of the current teams threatening to walk out of the series, FIA chief Max Mosley and F1 commercial director Bernie Ecclestone met in London on Friday with the heads of each Formula One team to iron out a deal that would allow the sport to accelerate past the standoff and into the next season. How that meeting went, however, depends on who you ask.

Continue reading F1 Standoff Update: Mosley drops two-tier system, Ferrari takes FIA to court

F1 Standoff Update: Mosley drops two-tier system, Ferrari takes FIA to court originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 May 2009 09:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budget capsBudgetCapsf1f1 budgetf1 budget capsf1 regulationsF1BudgetF1BudgetCapsF1Regulationsfiafia max mosleyFiaMaxMosleyflavio briatoreFlavioBriatoreformula 1formula oneformula one teams associationFormula1FormulaOneFormulaOneTeamsAssociationfotamax mosleyMaxMosleyquit f1QuitF1renaultrenault f1renault quitsrenault threatens to quit f1RenaultF1RenaultQuitsrenaultsportRenaultThreatensToQuitF1Wed, 13 May 2009 14:29:00 EST<![CDATA[More F1 teams joins boycott call for 2010 regulation changes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/11/more-f1-teams-joins-boycott-call-for-2010-regulation-change/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/11/more-f1-teams-joins-boycott-call-for-2010-regulation-change/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/11/more-f1-teams-joins-boycott-call-for-2010-regulation-change/#commentsFiled under:



Yesterday, we brought you news that Toyota could quit Formula One if FIA president Max Mosley's proposal for a two-tiered budget system is put in place. But the Japanese team based in Germany - currently enjoying its best season so far - isn't the only one making noise. Ferrari has hinted it could jump ship and put its energy into Le Mans, instead. Mercedes-Benz has said it could cancel its F1 program, and BMW has reportedly done the same. Now, three more teams are joining the call for the proposed regulations to be annulled, or else.

Next up to the plate is Red Bull, which owns and operates both the Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso teams. Owner Dietrich Mateschitz has joined the ranks of disgruntled team owners, saying he will not field his two teams next season under the proposed regulations.

Renault has not quite gone that far, but team principal Flavio Briatore has said that the rules need to be changed, the fashion king comparing the FIA's proposal to opening discount stores on trendy streets. The FIA has set May 29 as the deadline for teams to sign up and pay their fees to race in 2010, but with Ferrari, McLaren-Mercedes, BMW Sauber, Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Renault threatening boycott, that leaves only Williams, Force India and Brawn GP lining up on the grid next year. Those three are expected to go ahead regardless, because as independent F1 teams, if they withdrew or sat a season out, they would have no other obvious places to race.

Even with several new teams lining up to join the field next year, Mosley can't seriously hold his ground against all the sport's biggest teams... can he? It's a high-speed game of chicken, and somebody's going to flinch.

[Sources: Autosport and F1-Live | Image: Diego Tuson/AFP/Getty]

More F1 teams joins boycott call for 2010 regulation changes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 May 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After the FIA's rule change to allow a two-tier budgetary and technical regulation system in F1 next year, Toyota is the first team to come out and say it might not contest the 2010 season. After publishing next year's regulations, the FIA made May 29 the final day for teams to declare their intention to race next year and pay the entry fee. Toyota F1 team president John Howett, who is also vice-president of the F1 Teams Alliance (FOTA), said that unless a new situation is agreed to he can't see Toyota signing up, and he suggested that other competitors feel the same.

The flexibility of technical regulations accorded the capped teams is part of the issue. Patrick Head of Williams F1 said that the adjustable rear wing would be worth up to two seconds a lap, and non-capped teams couldn't make that up anywhere else no matter how much they spent. But if the big teams were to choose caps, there would be huge personnel issues in order to get down to a £40 million budget.

Ferrari head Luca de Montezemolo has made noises about not continuing, but the team has conspicuously had no official comment on the entire situation. Teams like McLaren and Williams, and drivers, have also spoken against next year's regulations. The teams are scheduled to meet with Max Mosley before the Monaco Grand Prix in two weeks time. Hat tip to Jarrett

[Source: Guardian]

Toyota to reportedly exit F1 if 2010 rules are not changed originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 May 2009 17:05:00 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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bernie ecclestoneBernieEcclestonef1fiaformula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnefotamax mosleyMaxMosleymotorsportswmscSat, 09 May 2009 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: F1 scraps new winner-take-all format after teams protest]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/22/report-f1-scraps-new-winner-take-all-format-after-teams-protest/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/22/report-f1-scraps-new-winner-take-all-format-after-teams-protest/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/22/report-f1-scraps-new-winner-take-all-format-after-teams-protest/#commentsFiled under:

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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