F1 - General discussion and 2016 Season

[Agent_Smith]

A shakeup in the sport on the horizon?

F1 to be sold next week, reports

The long-awaited sale of Formula One to an American media group is to be completed next week, according to media reports on Sunday.

The well-sourced German magazine Auto Motor und Sport said that the sport's veteran commercial ring-master Bernie Ecclestone had confirmed the deal at the Italian Grand Prix.

The magazine reported that Ecclestone said Liberty Media, backed by American media tycoon John Malone, will make the first of two payments on Tuesday in a deal valued at 8.5 billion dollars (7.6 billion euros, £6.5 billion).

If that goes through, according to well-informed paddock sources, current owners CVC Capital Parners, who hold a 35 percent stake, will leave the sport.

CVC Capital Parners, who invested in the sport in 2006, previously sold a 21 percent share to US-based fund manager Waddell & Reed in 2012, while also selling shares to another American investment group, BlackRock, and Norwegian bank Norges.

Liberty Media Group, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, is expected to take control of the company that will run Formula One.

Ecclestone, 85, said his future with the business would remain in his hands. He told Auto Motor Und Sport: "I will do what I have always done. What role I play is my decision."

Ecclestone, whose mother-in-law was kidnapped in Brazil recently, did not respond to questions about the sale when asked ahead of Sunday's race at Monza.

Others who have looked at a deal to buy the motorsport include Qatar Sports Investments, the owners of Paris Saint-Germain football club, and Stephen Ross, the owner of American football team the Miami Dolphins.

The sport's glamorous reputation has been hit in recent years by a lack of genuine sporting interest due to the domination of first Red Bull and then Mercedes, with global viewing figures dipping as a consequence.

 

[Neoprod]

I'd say it was more their car not being up to it than their strategy.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/126045/ferrari-laughs-at-strategy-criticism

Pretty much how I saw it...Ferrari were done (from a competing with Mercedes point of view) before the race began by having to run the super-soft to get through Q2. Not sure why they did that actually...they seemed to have enough in the bag on the other teams to get through Q2 without resorting to the softer tyre.

Anyway, it would have taken some luck or a Mercedes mess-up of note for the Ferraris to end up on top on Sunday.

 

[Polish]

Agreed. I also noticed that cheating bastard Flavio Briatore hanging around the pits during yesterday's race. I thought he banned for life but it seems like some French tribunal overturned the decision.

I thought they reduced it to 5y, though I could be mistaken.

Would not surprise me though if he was scheming something.

 

[Dave]

I thought they reduced it to 5y, though I could be mistaken.

Would not surprise me though if he was scheming something.

It seems the ban was completely overturned on appeal, so he's always been free to return to F1 if he wanted to. He even got compensation for the original ban!

From wiki

Briatore later said he was "distraught" at the FIA's action, and sued the FIA in French courts to clear his name.[32]

On 5 January 2010, the Tribunal de Grande Instance overturned the ban and granted him €15,000 in compensation.[33]

The tribunal declared in particular that "the decision of the World Council was presided over by the FIA president, who was well known to be in conflict with Briatore, with Mr Mosley having played a leading role in launching the inquiry and its investigation in violation of the principle of separation of the power of the bodies".[34]

The FIA announced that it would appeal the decision issued by the French court, but the two parties reached an out-of-court settlement the following April.[35][36]

 

[Dave]

The wiki page is linked to the following article:

FIA, Briatore reach settlement

By Pablo Elizalde Published on Monday April 12th 2010

Both Briatore and Symonds had been banned from the sport for their involvement in the 2008 race-fixing scandal in the Singapore Grand Prix.

Their ban, however, had been overturned by a French court because of irregularities in the process.

The FIA said it was considering appealing the decision, but that has been ruled out after reaching an agreement with the former Renault men.

The agreement means neither Briatore or Symonds will be allowed to work in Formula 1 until the start of 2013 and in any other competitions registered on the FIA calendars until the end of the 2011 season.

In a statement released on Monday, the FIA said both Briatore and Symonds had expressed regret and apologised for their actions.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82844

 

[thestaggy]

You can't compare what someone does at the end of a race on worn tyres with what someone does on a brand new set of the fastest available tyre, you are trying to pick oranges off that apple tree.

Nope.

Time differentials between the fastest lap and pole are almost identical in the past three races as well as the fact that the fastest lap has been set in the final-third of the race on all three occasions. The trend is there, but I understand, Alonso is washed out and ready to retire.

But you can. How else do I prove that my hero driver walks on water.

That's one helluva story. He's hardly my ''hero'', I'm just stating the obvious; Alonso still has the ability given the car. Its been quite obvious these past few races. 7th at Spa, a horse power track that also rewards driver ability.

 

[Willie Trombone]

A shakeup in the sport on the horizon?

F1 to be sold next week, reports

The long-awaited sale of Formula One to an American media group is to be completed next week, according to media reports on Sunday.

The well-sourced German magazine Auto Motor und Sport said that the sport's veteran commercial ring-master Bernie Ecclestone had confirmed the deal at the Italian Grand Prix.

The magazine reported that Ecclestone said Liberty Media, backed by American media tycoon John Malone, will make the first of two payments on Tuesday in a deal valued at 8.5 billion dollars (7.6 billion euros, £6.5 billion).

If that goes through, according to well-informed paddock sources, current owners CVC Capital Parners, who hold a 35 percent stake, will leave the sport.

CVC Capital Parners, who invested in the sport in 2006, previously sold a 21 percent share to US-based fund manager Waddell & Reed in 2012, while also selling shares to another American investment group, BlackRock, and Norwegian bank Norges.

Liberty Media Group, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, is expected to take control of the company that will run Formula One.

Ecclestone, 85, said his future with the business would remain in his hands. He told Auto Motor Und Sport: "I will do what I have always done. What role I play is my decision."

Ecclestone, whose mother-in-law was kidnapped in Brazil recently, did not respond to questions about the sale when asked ahead of Sunday's race at Monza.

Others who have looked at a deal to buy the motorsport include Qatar Sports Investments, the owners of Paris Saint-Germain football club, and Stephen Ross, the owner of American football team the Miami Dolphins.

The sport's glamorous reputation has been hit in recent years by a lack of genuine sporting interest due to the domination of first Red Bull and then Mercedes, with global viewing figures dipping as a consequence.

Skype was later acquired by Microsoft in May 2011 for $8.5 billion.

Puts it in perspective...

 

[MickeyD]

F1 deal with Liberty Media Corporation is now signed and sealed - $8bn !!!

 

[Polish]

F1 deal with Liberty Media Corporation is now signed and sealed - $8bn !!!

Good thing I suppose.

Opens some doors, and maybe Bernie will be booted out.

 

[Binary_Bark]

F1 deal with Liberty Media Corporation is now signed and sealed - $8bn !!!

More info on that HERE

 

[Binary_Bark]

F1 deal with Liberty Media Corporation is now signed and sealed - $8bn !!!

More info on that HERE

 

[thestaggy]

F1 may have new owners, but Bernie isnt going anywhere anytime soon.

Bernie Ecclestone to remain F1 CEO when Liberty takeover completes

Bernie Ecclestone will remain as Formula 1's chief executive officer, with Chase Carey to be appointed as its new chairman, upon the completion of a deal with Liberty Media Corporation.

Despite rumours over the course of the recent Italian Grand Prix weekend that Ecclestone was to lose his position as the head of F1, the 85-year-old has instead confirmed he will continue in his present role.

Ecclestone will then work hand in hand with Carey, currently executive vice-chairman of 21st Century Fox, and the former CEO of satellite broadcaster DirecTV.

The concern for me regarding the Yanks taking over is the fact that all US major league sports are heavily corporate-focused. We lament the fact that F1 seems to have lost a part of its soul to corporatism, it isn't going to get any better.

The 2017 Shell Grand Prix of Italy at Monza presented by Santander with Old Spice body-wash, 'Smell like a man, man'. And your hosts, James Alllen and David Coulthard, brought to you by M&Ms – 'Melts in your mouth, not in your hands'

 

[Binary_Bark]

F1 may have new owners, but Bernie isnt going anywhere anytime soon.



The concern for me regarding the Yanks taking over is the fact that all US major league sports are heavily corporate-focused. We lament the fact that F1 seems to have lost a part of its soul to corporatism, it isn't going to get any better.

The 2017 Shell Grand Prix of Italy at Monza presented by Santander with Old Spice body-wash, 'Smell like a man, man'. And your hosts, James Alllen and David Coulthard, brought to you by M&Ms – 'Melts in your mouth, not in your hands'

It is a bit of a let down that Bernie is staying.
At least we can look forward to the Australian Rolex Time is too precious to be keeping it with a cheap watch. GP, and a season start with coca cola Taste the Feeling

 

[caroper]

It is interesting to note that Liberty Media Corporation is in competition with SKy and holds a stake, all be it 10%, in ITV UK. I wonder if the much touted Sky Exclusivity will come about in 2019 now.

They couldn't just Axe Bernie as he is the only one who knows what is happening right now. Until they unravel all the contracts and deals, both shady and public, the new owners are not in a position to run it. And besides it may take till year end before the EU and FIA sign off on the deal.

It will definitely be over commercialised though, and probably have onscreen advertising in the Picture boarders or along the bottom, during races, american style. And it may be harder to find an Internet feed, as I am sure that a tech savvy Media company can squash the feeds faster than FOM could. On the up side though we can expect more official online coverage and possibly highlights or a repeat on you tube a day or 2 later.

Only time will tell, lets just hope it is not converted to Oval Circuits and Maldonado style driving to increase the carnage.

 

[Genisys]

It is interesting to note that Liberty Media Corporation is in competition with SKy and holds a stake, all be it 10%, in ITV UK. I wonder if the much touted Sky Exclusivity will come about in 2019 now.

They couldn't just Axe Bernie as he is the only one who knows what is happening right now. Until they unravel all the contracts and deals, both shady and public, the new owners are not in a position to run it. And besides it may take till year end before the EU and FIA sign off on the deal.

It will definitely be over commercialised though, and probably have onscreen advertising in the Picture boarders or along the bottom, during races, american style. And it may be harder to find an Internet feed, as I am sure that a tech savvy Media company can squash the feeds faster than FOM could. On the up side though we can expect more official online coverage and possibly highlights or a repeat on you tube a day or 2 later.

Only time will tell, lets just hope it is not converted to Oval Circuits and Maldonado style driving to increase the carnage.

To be honest, if they make a balls up of it, I'll just start to watch MotoGP more often.

 

[Agent_Smith]

If they do go with the American policy of ad breaks every 3 laps, then I'm going to stop watching. It was this that turned me off to watching IRL (despite the good racing).

 

[thestaggy]

It will definitely be over commercialised though, and probably have onscreen advertising in the Picture boarders or along the bottom, during races, american style. And it may be harder to find an Internet feed, as I am sure that a tech savvy Media company can squash the feeds faster than FOM could. On the up side though we can expect more official online coverage and possibly highlights or a repeat on you tube a day or 2 later.

Only time will tell, lets just hope it is not converted to Oval Circuits and Maldonado style driving to increase the carnage.

NASCAR/IRL style ''tickers'' that constantly run across the screen with the associated sponsor(s).

There may be some positives thinking about it more. One of the big reasons why F1 failed/struggles in the US is because of the fact that the fans couldn't/can't connect to the drivers. F1, from about the 70s/80s, has become ''hands-off'' when it comes to fan interaction. NASCAR and the IRL are not like this. Granted, the drivers themselves are a lot more relatable, especially when it comes to NASCAR drivers, but both series make a point of being accessible to fans.

Regarding broadcasts, NASCAR and the IRL both upload full race broadcasts to Youtube nowadays and the fans of both series are highly appreciative of this.

 

[caroper]

[video=youtube_share;BrfZFSNZ4d8]https://youtu.be/BrfZFSNZ4d8?t=6[/video]

 

[Polish]

F1 week

Singapore let goooooooo !

 

[Genisys]

F1 week

Singapore let goooooooo !

Hopefully we can see a Ferrari win for a change...