And that's just what the F1 circus has managed to do to itself, by running the farce that is the USA Grand Prix. Ok - I agree with the principal that the drivers shouldn't race if there are safety concerns, but surely there could have been some kind of agreement reached that meant the entire field started the race - and not just the Bridgestone runners.
But, all this has done is kill off Formula 1 in America - as no-one is going to risk going to the race next year (if they even hold a race at Indianapolis), thus leaving the American public with CART and Indy-racing.
Don't get me wrong - I enjoy both types of racing, but if it came to a choice of going to watch a CART, Indy or F1 race, I'd choose the F1 race, simply because that's one of my real passions.
Speaking (or rather typing) of which, I've been able to get another ticket for the British GP at Silverstone for my other half, as he said that he'd be interested in going, and had been pestering me to get him a ticket.
It's actually worked out rather well, as the race is the weekend that we come back from our break in the West country, so it means that neither of us will have to go belting out of work on the Friday night, in order to get down to Silverstone with the rest of the gang that I go to the race with...
On a different note, this will be the last blog entry for a few days or so, as I'm going on a training course tomorrow, and won't be back near a computer with an internet connection until Friday night.
Time to call this entry quits - I've got to get the rest of my stuff sorted out for the trip tomorrow.
Back on Friday...
Karen.
I walk where others fear to tread
Showing posts with label Formula 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Formula 1. Show all posts
2nd Race, and things are looking interesting....
Posted by
Karen
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Yep - this season's F1 sure as heck ain't going to be boring. The formula 1 bulletin boards are already buzzing with the possibility that Ferrari are going to go flat on their faces. Lighten up people, this is only the second race!
Ok, I know that I sound like I'm taking sides - far from it. I'm as interested in an open racing season as the next F1 petrol head, but I don't see the point in trying to write off a team's chances when the race conditions are known to be exceptional.
All I'm going to do, is wait and see - and possibly nip down to the bookies to put a bet on a certain M.Schumacher winning WDC (World Driver's Championship) title no. 8.....
But on a serious note, I'm also having to try and source an extra ticket for my trip to Silverstone in July, as my partner has decided that he wants to see what I find so facinating about watching a bunch of cars racing 'round and 'round.
Ah well, suppose I can't complain too much - at least he's showing an interest in one of my hobbies - unlike my ex fiancé, who refused point blank to get involved with anything other than rugby - he even refused point blank to go to Silverstone with me last year - despite the fact that I was going to be watching the race from the pit lane.
Time to log off and bog off - sounds like I'm being summoned for something...
Back later - if I get the chance.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down
Ok, I know that I sound like I'm taking sides - far from it. I'm as interested in an open racing season as the next F1 petrol head, but I don't see the point in trying to write off a team's chances when the race conditions are known to be exceptional.
All I'm going to do, is wait and see - and possibly nip down to the bookies to put a bet on a certain M.Schumacher winning WDC (World Driver's Championship) title no. 8.....
But on a serious note, I'm also having to try and source an extra ticket for my trip to Silverstone in July, as my partner has decided that he wants to see what I find so facinating about watching a bunch of cars racing 'round and 'round.
Ah well, suppose I can't complain too much - at least he's showing an interest in one of my hobbies - unlike my ex fiancé, who refused point blank to get involved with anything other than rugby - he even refused point blank to go to Silverstone with me last year - despite the fact that I was going to be watching the race from the pit lane.
Time to log off and bog off - sounds like I'm being summoned for something...
Back later - if I get the chance.
Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down
More news on Silverstone....
Posted by
Karen
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This is what the reports on the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/default.stm) have to say...
Silverstone eyes unofficial race [21.10.04]
Silverstone bosses say they may be interested in staging a breakaway British Grand Prix next season.
The Northamptonshire circuit faces being axed from the 2005 F1 calendar. Alex Hooton, chief executive of track owners the British Racing Drivers' Club, said he had heard suggestions about a new, non-championship race.
"That would have attractions as we wouldn't have to pay the fees to Formula One, but there is nothing definite," he told BBC Radio Five Live.
It is not clear whether any of the ten teams competing in the F1 championship would enter such a race, or how it would fit into their calendar.
But Hooton said the BRDC is still focused on trying to keep a British Grand Prix on the F1 calendar, despite supremo Bernie Ecclestone announcing discussions to save the race were over.
"We have to admit defeat and end the discussions," Ecclestone said on Wednesday. "It looks certain there will not be a British GP in 2005."
F1 teams to lobby for Silverstone [22.10.04]
Silverstone has been named on the provisional calendar for 2005Formula One team bosses will try to persuade F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone to keep the British Grand Prix when they meet in Brazil on Friday.
"There's a meeting and I'm sure it will be an issue for discussion," said BAR chief David Richards.
But he added: "The teams do not have the influence of where we race that one might assume we do. We can obviously talk to him and try to persuade him but the reality is it's his decision alone."
Richards, speaking ahead of the Brazilian GP at Interlagos, added: "The commercial rights are completely with Bernie Ecclestone and his companies and he determines where the races take place."
Ecclestone has said he has ended negotiations on the future of the race after talks broke down with the British Racing Drivers' Club, which owns the Silverstone circuit.
The BRDC wants a two-year contract with a five-year extension, while Ecclestone has offered a one-year contract with an option to extend by six years.
BRDC boss Sir Jackie Stewart said the deal Ecclestone had offered featured 10% compounded annual interest "which would double the price after seven years - this is unaffordable".
Britain is one of three races, alongside France and San Marino, given provisional dates for next season pending the resolution of contract issues.
Silverstone has been given a date of 3 July on next year's draft schedule but a commercial deal must be agreed before the race is confirmed.
A final calendar is due to be issued on 10 December.
All I can say is:- "Please Bernie - don't betray the UK petrolheads!"
Back later - possibly.
Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
Silverstone eyes unofficial race [21.10.04]
Silverstone bosses say they may be interested in staging a breakaway British Grand Prix next season.
The Northamptonshire circuit faces being axed from the 2005 F1 calendar. Alex Hooton, chief executive of track owners the British Racing Drivers' Club, said he had heard suggestions about a new, non-championship race.
"That would have attractions as we wouldn't have to pay the fees to Formula One, but there is nothing definite," he told BBC Radio Five Live.
It is not clear whether any of the ten teams competing in the F1 championship would enter such a race, or how it would fit into their calendar.
But Hooton said the BRDC is still focused on trying to keep a British Grand Prix on the F1 calendar, despite supremo Bernie Ecclestone announcing discussions to save the race were over.
"We have to admit defeat and end the discussions," Ecclestone said on Wednesday. "It looks certain there will not be a British GP in 2005."
F1 teams to lobby for Silverstone [22.10.04]
Silverstone has been named on the provisional calendar for 2005Formula One team bosses will try to persuade F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone to keep the British Grand Prix when they meet in Brazil on Friday.
"There's a meeting and I'm sure it will be an issue for discussion," said BAR chief David Richards.
But he added: "The teams do not have the influence of where we race that one might assume we do. We can obviously talk to him and try to persuade him but the reality is it's his decision alone."
Richards, speaking ahead of the Brazilian GP at Interlagos, added: "The commercial rights are completely with Bernie Ecclestone and his companies and he determines where the races take place."
Ecclestone has said he has ended negotiations on the future of the race after talks broke down with the British Racing Drivers' Club, which owns the Silverstone circuit.
The BRDC wants a two-year contract with a five-year extension, while Ecclestone has offered a one-year contract with an option to extend by six years.
BRDC boss Sir Jackie Stewart said the deal Ecclestone had offered featured 10% compounded annual interest "which would double the price after seven years - this is unaffordable".
Britain is one of three races, alongside France and San Marino, given provisional dates for next season pending the resolution of contract issues.
Silverstone has been given a date of 3 July on next year's draft schedule but a commercial deal must be agreed before the race is confirmed.
A final calendar is due to be issued on 10 December.
All I can say is:- "Please Bernie - don't betray the UK petrolheads!"
Back later - possibly.
Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
More information on the British GP fight...
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
The British Grand Prix saga is far from over, despite Bernie Ecclestone's claim that it "looks certain" the race will not happen next year.
Ecclestone says he has broken off talks with Silverstone's owner the British Racing Drivers' Club, but with the 2005 calendar not published until 10 December there is still plenty of time for a deal to be made.
So what is behind Ecclestone's latest salvo in one of Formula One's longest-running battles?
WHAT IS ECCLESTONE'S PROBLEM?
He wants there to be a British Grand Prix, but at a track that matches his high standards and at his price.
Unlike the new venues in Malaysia, China and Bahrain, Silverstone is not funded by a government so cannot afford to spend hundreds of millions on lavish facilities.
Nor can the BRDC afford to run the race at a loss, which it says is what would happen if it accepted Ecclestone's current offer.
DOES ECCLESTONE DECIDE THE RACE'S FATE?
Yes. He owns the promotional rights to the race, and in his role as F1's commercial supremo, organises the calendar. If he wants to drop it, he can.
DOES HE HAVE A HIDDEN AGENDA?
Ecclestone is exasperated with the BRDC - but the feeling is mutualAlmost certainly, but no-one knows what it is.
Many believe he wants to end up controlling the British GP at Silverstone, or even owning the track, which he denies.
The issue is not helped by a long-held antagonism between Ecclestone and the BRDC, the roots of which are lost in the mists of motor racing history.
Ecclestone and BRDC president Jackie Stewart have also had a difficult relationship for at least three decades.
WHEN IS THE DEADLINE FOR A RESOLUTION?
The official 2005 F1 calendar is published on 10 December, but even if Silverstone is not on that list, its fate is not necessarily sealed - last year the French Grand Prix was not confirmed until January.
HOW CAN SILVERSTONE SECURE ITS GRAND PRIX?
The BRDC needs to seal a deal for the promotional rights to the race, which are owned by Ecclestone following the decision of US company Interpublic to extricate itself from its loss-making motorsport business.
The issues holding up progress boil down to the length and price of the contract. Ecclestone will want any deal to include provision for the improvement of the Silverstone site.
Some say the BRDC could help itself a bit more by developing its massive grounds, either with a new track, or into a multi-use area generating income, rather than just as a racetrack and driving school.
This is an approach favoured by the Nigel Mansell-backed Brand Synergy consortium, to which the BRDC has given a cool response so far.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH ECCLESTONE'S OFFER?
The BRDC wants a two-year deal followed by talks over the next five seasons, while Ecclestone is offering a one-year deal with an option on the following six.
Silverstone's large crowds are not enough to cover Ecclestone's fee. The BRDC says Ecclestone's offer does not give it the security it needs to embark on a major redevelopment of Silverstone; Ecclestone says it is non-negotiable.
Another major sticking point is Ecclestone's asking price for the race.
Although he has reduced the fee for 2005, the deal calls for 10% compounded interest over the next seven years, which the BRDC says it cannot afford.
The only revenue a host track can generate is through ticket sales. All other monies from the staging of an F1 Grand Prix are trousered by Ecclestone.
Ecclestone is offering the BRDC the cheapest contract in F1, but even at this price the club says it cannot afford to pay without risking bankrupting itself.
SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT HELP FINANCIALLY?
Depends on your point of view.
The "No" camp would say a shortfall of a couple of million seems like small beer but that is just the thin end of the wedge - fork out this year and next year Ecclestone increases the price a bit more and so on.
Governments in places like China, Malaysia and Bahrain are funding Grands Prix as a promotional tool, but for how long? Britain doesn't need to do that and critics would argue that the money would be better spent elsewhere.
The "Yes" camp would say the race is a vital cog in the future of the British motor industry and the sport's heritage, not to mention the UK's credibility for hosting events such as the Olympics.
And if the government can back a multi-million-pound 2012 Olympic bid for a two-week event, why not a race that happens every year?
But the government says it has already pumped £16m into the motor industry and £8m into the circuit to improve access and facilities.
COULD THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX GO ANYWHERE ELSE?
Not really. Donington Park in Leicestershire is the closest in terms of facilities but is still a long way off.
A race around the streets of London would take several years to be finalised, even if the anticipated mass protest over traffic, cost and noise pollution it would spark from residents of the capital could be overcome.
WHY SHOULD BRITAIN HOLD A GRAND PRIX?
It's an image and heritage thing.
Britain is the centre of the world's motorsport industry - although it is highly unlikely that the F1 teams based in the south-east would leave the UK if the country lost its race.
And the race's supporters argue that a major political and economic power and a proud sporting nation should be able to stage a Grand Prix once a year.
Britain is also one of only two countries to have held a Grand Prix every year since the inception of the F1 world championship - the other being Italy.
Fans say losing Silverstone, one of the last remaining classic tracks, along with Spa, Monza, Suzuka and Monaco, would render the sport soulless.
These older tracks, they say, often produce better racing than the modern computer-designed autodromes. And if all races are held on similar tracks with the same team and driver winning, the argument is that viewers will eventually switch off.
IS THIS TO DO WITH A TOBACCO AD BAN?
Probably not. There is likely to be a worldwide ban at some stage and teams will have to find the money in other ways.
They already use liveries which resemble cigarette brands without actually stating what they are and even are looking into developing this idea further when a tobacco ban does come into force.
Ecclestone says he has broken off talks with Silverstone's owner the British Racing Drivers' Club, but with the 2005 calendar not published until 10 December there is still plenty of time for a deal to be made.
So what is behind Ecclestone's latest salvo in one of Formula One's longest-running battles?
WHAT IS ECCLESTONE'S PROBLEM?
He wants there to be a British Grand Prix, but at a track that matches his high standards and at his price.
Unlike the new venues in Malaysia, China and Bahrain, Silverstone is not funded by a government so cannot afford to spend hundreds of millions on lavish facilities.
Nor can the BRDC afford to run the race at a loss, which it says is what would happen if it accepted Ecclestone's current offer.
DOES ECCLESTONE DECIDE THE RACE'S FATE?
Yes. He owns the promotional rights to the race, and in his role as F1's commercial supremo, organises the calendar. If he wants to drop it, he can.
DOES HE HAVE A HIDDEN AGENDA?
Ecclestone is exasperated with the BRDC - but the feeling is mutualAlmost certainly, but no-one knows what it is.
Many believe he wants to end up controlling the British GP at Silverstone, or even owning the track, which he denies.
The issue is not helped by a long-held antagonism between Ecclestone and the BRDC, the roots of which are lost in the mists of motor racing history.
Ecclestone and BRDC president Jackie Stewart have also had a difficult relationship for at least three decades.
WHEN IS THE DEADLINE FOR A RESOLUTION?
The official 2005 F1 calendar is published on 10 December, but even if Silverstone is not on that list, its fate is not necessarily sealed - last year the French Grand Prix was not confirmed until January.
HOW CAN SILVERSTONE SECURE ITS GRAND PRIX?
The BRDC needs to seal a deal for the promotional rights to the race, which are owned by Ecclestone following the decision of US company Interpublic to extricate itself from its loss-making motorsport business.
The issues holding up progress boil down to the length and price of the contract. Ecclestone will want any deal to include provision for the improvement of the Silverstone site.
Some say the BRDC could help itself a bit more by developing its massive grounds, either with a new track, or into a multi-use area generating income, rather than just as a racetrack and driving school.
This is an approach favoured by the Nigel Mansell-backed Brand Synergy consortium, to which the BRDC has given a cool response so far.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH ECCLESTONE'S OFFER?
The BRDC wants a two-year deal followed by talks over the next five seasons, while Ecclestone is offering a one-year deal with an option on the following six.
Silverstone's large crowds are not enough to cover Ecclestone's fee. The BRDC says Ecclestone's offer does not give it the security it needs to embark on a major redevelopment of Silverstone; Ecclestone says it is non-negotiable.
Another major sticking point is Ecclestone's asking price for the race.
Although he has reduced the fee for 2005, the deal calls for 10% compounded interest over the next seven years, which the BRDC says it cannot afford.
The only revenue a host track can generate is through ticket sales. All other monies from the staging of an F1 Grand Prix are trousered by Ecclestone.
Ecclestone is offering the BRDC the cheapest contract in F1, but even at this price the club says it cannot afford to pay without risking bankrupting itself.
SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT HELP FINANCIALLY?
Depends on your point of view.
The "No" camp would say a shortfall of a couple of million seems like small beer but that is just the thin end of the wedge - fork out this year and next year Ecclestone increases the price a bit more and so on.
Governments in places like China, Malaysia and Bahrain are funding Grands Prix as a promotional tool, but for how long? Britain doesn't need to do that and critics would argue that the money would be better spent elsewhere.
The "Yes" camp would say the race is a vital cog in the future of the British motor industry and the sport's heritage, not to mention the UK's credibility for hosting events such as the Olympics.
And if the government can back a multi-million-pound 2012 Olympic bid for a two-week event, why not a race that happens every year?
But the government says it has already pumped £16m into the motor industry and £8m into the circuit to improve access and facilities.
COULD THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX GO ANYWHERE ELSE?
Not really. Donington Park in Leicestershire is the closest in terms of facilities but is still a long way off.
A race around the streets of London would take several years to be finalised, even if the anticipated mass protest over traffic, cost and noise pollution it would spark from residents of the capital could be overcome.
WHY SHOULD BRITAIN HOLD A GRAND PRIX?
It's an image and heritage thing.
Britain is the centre of the world's motorsport industry - although it is highly unlikely that the F1 teams based in the south-east would leave the UK if the country lost its race.
And the race's supporters argue that a major political and economic power and a proud sporting nation should be able to stage a Grand Prix once a year.
Britain is also one of only two countries to have held a Grand Prix every year since the inception of the F1 world championship - the other being Italy.
Fans say losing Silverstone, one of the last remaining classic tracks, along with Spa, Monza, Suzuka and Monaco, would render the sport soulless.
These older tracks, they say, often produce better racing than the modern computer-designed autodromes. And if all races are held on similar tracks with the same team and driver winning, the argument is that viewers will eventually switch off.
IS THIS TO DO WITH A TOBACCO AD BAN?
Probably not. There is likely to be a worldwide ban at some stage and teams will have to find the money in other ways.
They already use liveries which resemble cigarette brands without actually stating what they are and even are looking into developing this idea further when a tobacco ban does come into force.
Wondering what will hapen to Silverstone...
Posted by
Karen
comments (0)
As Silverstone is the home of British motorsport, I just hope that Bernie Ecclestone (the head honcho of F1) will allow this circuit to stage the British F1 GP next July... I've been to the last four British GPs (2000 - 2004 inclusive) and have thoroughly enjoyed myself each time...
SILVERSTONE ROW HISTORY:
June 1998 - Bernie Ecclestone sells rights to British GP to US company Octagon
December 2000 - Octagon agrees 15-year lease of Silverstone to run British GP
March 2003 - Octagon pulls out of its motorsport business because of debts, leaving race needing new promoter
Sep 2004 - Britain omitted from provisional 2005 calendar because of lack of agreement on promoter
Oct 2004 British GP named on draft 2005 F1 calendar
This is what BBC on-line (http://www.bbc.co.uk) has to say about the affair:
Silverstone's owners say a deal must be in place by the end of October if the 2005 British Grand Prix is to go ahead. The dispute between the British Racing Drivers' Club and F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone rests on contract details.
BRDC chairman Ray Bellm told BBC Five Live: "The main bone of contention is that Bernie wants a one-year contract with a six-year extension.
"We want two years with a five-year extension. Our crunch point is the end of October."
The World Motor Sport Council meets on 10 December to finalise the 2005 calendar, but Bellm wants to finds a solution well before then to allow the BRDC the planning time required to stage the race.
The British GP has been given a date of 3 July on next year's draft schedule but a commercial deal must be agreed before the race is confirmed.
Ecclestone, however, has already warned the BRDC that his offer to save the race is not open to negotiation. "We can't negotiate any more on this," Ecclestone told the Daily Express.
"They are on the calendar for the moment but we have to have a decision on this soon."
Ecclestone prefers a one-year deal, with a six-year extension dependent on the progress of improvements made to the track and its surroundings.
The current negotiations are not thought to involve Brand Synergy, the company which includes Nigel Mansell as one of its backers. However, the group is still hopeful of persuading the BRDC to join forces to safeguard the future of the British Grand Prix.
France and San Marino were also given provisional dates by F1's governing body the FIA on Wednesday. Ecclestone is limited to 17 Grands Prix a year by contract with the teams and must trim his draft calendar of 19 if he is to avoid a costly pay-out.
This year he had a multi-million pound bill for paying the teams to participate in an 18th race.
I just hope that this is sorted out, otherwise British petrol heads will have to travel overseas to see what I personally consider to be the pinnacle of four-wheel motor sport.
Time to call it quits - I need to grab a bite for lunch.
Back later.
Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
SILVERSTONE ROW HISTORY:
June 1998 - Bernie Ecclestone sells rights to British GP to US company Octagon
December 2000 - Octagon agrees 15-year lease of Silverstone to run British GP
March 2003 - Octagon pulls out of its motorsport business because of debts, leaving race needing new promoter
Sep 2004 - Britain omitted from provisional 2005 calendar because of lack of agreement on promoter
Oct 2004 British GP named on draft 2005 F1 calendar
This is what BBC on-line (http://www.bbc.co.uk) has to say about the affair:
Silverstone's owners say a deal must be in place by the end of October if the 2005 British Grand Prix is to go ahead. The dispute between the British Racing Drivers' Club and F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone rests on contract details.
BRDC chairman Ray Bellm told BBC Five Live: "The main bone of contention is that Bernie wants a one-year contract with a six-year extension.
"We want two years with a five-year extension. Our crunch point is the end of October."
The World Motor Sport Council meets on 10 December to finalise the 2005 calendar, but Bellm wants to finds a solution well before then to allow the BRDC the planning time required to stage the race.
The British GP has been given a date of 3 July on next year's draft schedule but a commercial deal must be agreed before the race is confirmed.
Ecclestone, however, has already warned the BRDC that his offer to save the race is not open to negotiation. "We can't negotiate any more on this," Ecclestone told the Daily Express.
"They are on the calendar for the moment but we have to have a decision on this soon."
Ecclestone prefers a one-year deal, with a six-year extension dependent on the progress of improvements made to the track and its surroundings.
The current negotiations are not thought to involve Brand Synergy, the company which includes Nigel Mansell as one of its backers. However, the group is still hopeful of persuading the BRDC to join forces to safeguard the future of the British Grand Prix.
France and San Marino were also given provisional dates by F1's governing body the FIA on Wednesday. Ecclestone is limited to 17 Grands Prix a year by contract with the teams and must trim his draft calendar of 19 if he is to avoid a costly pay-out.
This year he had a multi-million pound bill for paying the teams to participate in an 18th race.
I just hope that this is sorted out, otherwise British petrol heads will have to travel overseas to see what I personally consider to be the pinnacle of four-wheel motor sport.
Time to call it quits - I need to grab a bite for lunch.
Back later.
Karen.
Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?
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