Breakaway series is go!

[Garry Walker]

Exactly, and while one of those could not continue alone, any two from three working together could run a series.

Perhaps - pure speculation again - Bernie is seeing this as an opportunity to cut Max out of the picture. Remember it was Bernie who orignially grouped F1 teams together under the FOCA umbrella in order to have more influence in the sport. It worked back in the 1980's (with the help of Max) and perhaps Bernie sees something of FOCA in FOTA

FOTA does not need Bernie in any way, they would be much better off without him and his greedy ways.

[Dave B]

Who says they need to pay much?!
Maybe first year will be free if they will help with substantial publicity for the new series!

There is a precident: the BTCC doesn't exactly cost ITV4 much - quite the reverse if anything.

If FOTA-1 / GPWC / Formula Won or whatever they call themselves offered to pay broadcasters to show their races there could be some mileage in that. Sponsors certainly wouldn't want the series to be consigned to some backwater channel.

The BBC and other current broadcasters could theoretially argue that FOM have breached their contract, but AFAIK the only stipulation is that F1 has to field a minimum of 16 cars - there's nothing to say they have to be driven by household names.

[Tazio]

FOTA does not need Bernie in any way, they would be much better off without him and his greedy ways.

Agreed. The New Series should show Bernie's A$$ their Boot!

[Robinho]

we are ignoring the possibility that this will all get cleared up over the weekend and we'll be having the one series with the familiar names next season. this could be enough to get max to stick to his word and not run for re-election, or maybe if he does someone will run against him and get rid of the old fool

[ArrowsFA1]

What was Bernie talking about there? What "contracted people" of his?

He mentions "companies, television contractors" but says "any of our contracted people" and there are quite a few of those!

FOTA does not need Bernie in any way, they would be much better off without him and his greedy ways.

Perhaps not. Perhaps FOTA can create an entirely new series without any involvement from Bernie but the fact that they say those "associated with the highest level of motorsport will all feature" makes me wonder if any new series can happen without his involvement in some shape or form.

[Mark]

Why wouldnt BBC be able to show "f1" and the FOTA series at the same time? Provided they are in different timeslots of course.

Because the BBC already devotes a LOT of airtime and effort to Formula 1 as it is. They would not be able to justify to the BBC board taking up twice that amount of airtime covering both F1 series. When there are many other competing demands on BBC Sport.

[Viktory]

N-technology and Lola have apparently joined the breakaway series. Haven't got a link, heard it on Swedish coverage if FP1

[Tazio]

I nominate Jean Todt, and JYS as Co-Commisioners of the new series.
Niki Lauda can be Race Director, Safety Delegate, Permanent Starter and head of the Technical Department. (and anything else that Charlie Whiting does.)

[Sonic]

Well they've only gone and done it. Whether it turns out to be a negotiating gambit or not this is bad bad news for F1 (and motorsport in general).

My main concern is this could signal the death of top flight motorsport. Full stop. As many people on the forum have reminded me F1 is a business. Therefore the business of motorsport needs its customers - its fans to survive. The casual fans will have little or no clue what is going on and will most likely tune in to F1 in Melbourne 2010 as normal, perhaps to find no Ferrari etc. Do we really believe these drifting fans are going to bother finding GP1 on whatever channel it happens to be on (maybe PPV). Motorsport as a whole will then loose fans and boom both series fold.

Worse case? Maybe. But it could happen.

[ArrowsFA1]

N-technology and Lola have apparently joined the breakaway series. Haven't got a link, heard it on Swedish coverage if FP1

AUTOSPORT understands [N-technology] has decided to inform Formula 1's ruling body that it has withdrawn its application because the circumstances have changed since it applied and it no longer wants to be involved in a sport without the major manufacturers.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/76298