It's about bloomin' time!

[Gedanken]

From www.f1-live.com:

Teams announce breakaway series!
Alliance commence the preparation for a new championship

In the dead of Thursday night in England, the eight Formula One Teams' Association members issued a statement announcing that a breakaway world championship will be formed.

The announcement came on the eve of the FIA's Friday deadline for making unconditional entries for the official Formula One series, and amid the sides' deadlocked negotiations about income, governance and rules.

"The FIA and the commercial rights holder have campaigned to divide FOTA," the statement read. "The wishes of the majority of the teams are ignored.

"Furthermore, tens of millions of dollars have been withheld from many teams by the commercial rights holder, going back as far as 2006."

The statement was issued on behalf of BMW, Brawn, Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota and the two Red Bull owned teams.

"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," said FOTA.

The details of the new series, including a name, circuits and starting year, have not yet been announced. At present its grid would feature 16 cars, unless the eight involved teams each field three drivers.

"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 statement continued.

"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 formation of the series will spark more political turmoil, especially given that Ferrari and the Red Bull teams were unconditionally included on the FIA's entry list, due to disputed agreements with the F1 ruling bodies.

F1 Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone, whose Formula One Management is contracted to and aligned with the FIA and President Max Mosley, has already vowed to legally challenge the defection of teams, and any attempts to negotiate with his contracted promoters and TV broadcasters.

The inclusion on the breakaway series of loved venues including Monaco, Spa and Monza will therefore be contested, while FOTA's plans do not involve the successful British team and expelled FOTA member Williams, which like Force India is committed to the FIA championship next year.
Click here to find out more!

FOTA statement in full
“Since the formation of FOTA last September the teams have worked together and sought to engage the FIA and commercial rights holder, to develop and improve the sport.

“Unprecedented worldwide financial turmoil has inevitably placed great challenges before the F1 community. FOTA is proud that it has achieved the most substantial measures to reduce costs in the history of our sport.

“In particular the manufacturer teams have provided assistance to the independent teams, a number of which would probably not be in the sport today without the FOTA initiatives. The FOTA teams have further agreed upon a substantial voluntary cost reduction that provides a sustainable model for the future.

“Following these efforts all the teams have confirmed to the FIA and the commercial rights holder that they are willing to commit until the end of 2012.

“The FIA and the commercial rights holder have campaigned to divide FOTA.

“The wishes of the majority of the teams are ignored. Furthermore, tens of millions of dollars have been withheld from many teams by the commercial rights holder, going back as far as 2006. Despite this and the uncompromising environment, FOTA has genuinely sought compromise.

“It has become clear however, that 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.”

Finally! I was wondering how much longer the teams were going to bend over and take it up the keyster from Max.

It's even more disgraceful considering that away from the FIA, Max is the one taking it up the patootie.

I'm looking forward to the new series, but even more than that, I'm looking forward to watching the two weasels Max and Bernie rot, dry up and blow away.

[Lol-x]

Wow that is huge news in F1 terms.

Sounds good for the sport. Lets hope it is ultimately for the benefit of motor car racing enthusiasts and not another over commercialised, overly governed and restrictive organisation.

[Gedanken]

This can only get better. The sport certainly wasn't being served by being under a money-grubbing megalomanic dwarf and a Nazi spawn who couldn't cut it as a solicitor or team owner.

[Jimbits76]

When you think Silverstone has now lost the British GP due to underfunding and the money Max and Bernie have drawn out of the sport it is very very sad.

The Beeb were broadcasting the news this morning and they are talking about the breakaway race tickets being 50% of what they are now...that would be a massive boost for fans.

Be interesting to see how this all plays out.

J

[Gedanken]

Well, how many circuits have been royally screwed by Bernie while he had absolute power? There's Gilles Villeneuve, Paul Ricard, Silverstone, Indy to quickly name a few. Everybody's going to want to rip a little piece off that malevolent misanthropic midget and I for one will be watching his demise with unadulterated glee.

[daveathall]

My prediction;

Capping will be renegotiated at a level that Ferrari will be happy with and so the illusion of a climbdown by F1 hierarchy will be averted/camouflaged/ covered over etc. All teams back in the fold. Back to square 1.

[Gedanken]

Probably. But a guy can dream, can't he?

[Black Bay Dan]

Possibly good news for Silverstone, ITV F1, James Allen (please no), Lola, Lotus, Brabham, Prodrive and drivers on cusp of F1 - potentially bad news for BBC, Donnington, Williams, Force India and new FIA F1 Teams! All a shame just before British Grand Prix as the focus and excitement should just be about Jenson!

Dan

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by daveathall

My prediction;

Capping will be renegotiated at a level that Ferrari will be happy with and so the illusion of a climbdown by F1 hierarchy will be averted/camouflaged/ covered over etc. All teams back in the fold. Back to square 1.

My prediction is looking to be wrong, a court case looks likely.

[Launch Mini]

I appreciate the speed & technical aspects of the cars, but IMO, they need to do something to improve the actual race.
I am tired of watching "win the pole, win the race"

[diablojota]

I think this is great news. I have been following this story and was hoping that the teams that pulled out actually were going to hold fast to their ground. It's good to see that they finally have, instead of accepting the terms that were proposed by the F1, that would have greatly affected the overall beauty of F1 racing. It's good to see these groups stand by their principles. It's also good for the automakers who participate as a lot of R&D money gets put into the technology in these cars which trickle down to the general products they produce.

[buz-lh]

Originally Posted by Launch Mini

I appreciate the speed & technical aspects of the cars, but IMO, they need to do something to improve the actual race.
I am tired of watching "win the pole, win the race"

Too true I'm afraid.

[Andad]

All I see is a huge transfer of funds direct to the legal fraternity.

[swatty]

Originally Posted by directioneng

All I see is a huge transfer of funds direct to the legal fraternity.

You got it right there Eddie. I'm sure the result is going to benefit the sport though.