The uneasy ‘truce’ called between F1 chiefs Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley already seems to be in danger of degenerating into open warfare once again, with the former ridiculing the latter’s plans to resurrect the long-defunct Formula Two feeder series as of next year.
The announcement – made towards the end of last month [see separate story] – was initially seen as a means for Mosley to undermine his long-time friend and ally, with the pair of them continuing to do battle over the future of Formula 1, in a fraught power struggle that is threatening to tear the sport apart.
Ecclestone was one of the two key driving forces, alongside Renault F1 managing director Flavio Briatore, behind the launch of the GP2 Series – not officially sanctioned by the FIA, of which Mosley is President – three years ago. Should it materialise, Formula Two would enter the fray in direct competition.
The sport’s commercial rights-holder, however, has been dismissive in his reaction to Mosley’s claim that a prospective campaign in Formula Two would cost as little as €200,000 per car.
“A season of karting costs more,” the 77-year-old scoffed in an interview with Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport magazine. “Maybe he will use lawnmower engines, but would that really be a feeder series for Formula 1?” (Like this Bernie? - ed)
GP2 team bosses joined in Ecclestone’s derision and disbelief, ridiculing suggestions that any professional racing team could operate a high-tech single-seater on such a comparatively paltry budget
“It’s bullshit,” blasted one industry insider, speaking to GPWeek. “Even if everyone worked for free and we set ourselves up as a registered charity, the team’s travel expenses alone would be more than €200,000.”
Another insisted that Mosley and the FIA are ‘barking mad’ (Gee ya think? - ed) if they honestly believe they can have the new series up and running by 2009, adding: “What they don’t realise is that they’re playing with our lives and our careers.” (Like they haven’t before? - ed)
Whilst GP2 Series organiser Bruno Michel was not willing to comment, the governing body has stepped in to defend the new initiative, insisting that it is viable and not merely political posturing in the grander scheme of who is ultimately going to control the sport.
“We’re quite keen on it,” an FIA spokesman said. (Someone was “keen” on New Coke also. -ed) “It will give the ASNs (national sporting authorities) a means of promoting new talent, and we have some very specific ideas on the way it will work.
“There’s no reason why it couldn’t be at GP2 level, but with a more manageable budget. It’s something the FIA Fund could help in trying to encourage new talent at national level.”
In a further twist, meanwhile, Ecclestone has urged that if Mosley wants to see a redistribution of Formula 1’s revenues, he can go looking for the money elsewhere. Mosley is unwilling to sign a new Concorde Agreement until Ecclestone agrees that more income from the commercial side of things – controlled by the latter’s company CVC – is given back to the teams.
“We take the money from racing events and media rights,” Ecclestone told Auto Motor und Sport. “We have contracts with all the teams, which lay down what percentage they receive.
“If the FIA wants to hand out more money, then they are going to have to find it themselves.” (Mosley sex tapes? - ed)
peterg wrote,
“If the FIA wants to hand out more money, then they are going to have to find it themselves.”
What! fine McLaren again? LOL
Link | July 8th, 2008 at 5:04 am