Ecclestone: No room for FOTA in F1

[MrMetro]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/85059

[Hawkmoon]

Many people have been saying the same thing about Bernie for a number of years now.

[Rusty Spanner]

Bernie doesn't like FOTA. Imagine the surprise! His only argument appears to be that because FOTA is formed of teams competing against each other they'll always make decisions for selfish reasons rather than the good of the sport (pot, kettle and black spring to mind), but side steps the issue that the teams have already somewhat diffused the issue with a majority rather than unanimous voting system.

As for the row over branding in the pits, I can't see any good reason for it other than to cause trouble.

[christophulus]

As for the row over branding in the pits, I can't see any good reason for it other than to cause trouble.

It's a blatant tactic from Bernie to squeeze the teams a bit more.

To be fair, I've been impressed with the togetherness that the teams have showed since they started FOTA, particularly old rivals like McLaren and Ferrari actually getting along behind the scenes. I imagine Bernie didn't see much of a future for them and is starting to worry about the power they have.

[ArrowsFA1]

It's a bit like Balestre saying there was no place for FOCA all those years ago. Bernie didn't seem to have much problem with a team organisation then...because he ran it! Now he doesn't.

[I am evil Homer]

Oh dear the senile one been spouting off in the press again?

[bblocker68]

Bernie makes me giggle.

[ShiftingGears]

Many people have been saying the same thing about Bernie for a number of years now.

:up:

[ioan]

The lil' guy thinks he can run a show without teams, just like Max thought last season.

This is the same guy who only allowed for rather crappy coverage of F1 racing week ends and all that for astronomic amounts of money, and who has denied us the possibility seeing racing on some great tracks.

And before anyone comes to tell me how great Bernie is for turning F1 into what it is now, I will ask these people if they really like F1 as it is nowadays, a marketing show full of off track controversies with gimmicky rules.

[MrMetro]

The lil' guy thinks he can run a show without teams, just like Max thought last season.

This is the same guy who only allowed for rather crappy coverage of F1 racing week ends and all that for astronomic amounts of money, and who has denied us the possibility seeing racing on some great tracks.

And before anyone comes to tell me how great Bernie is for turning F1 into what it is now, I will ask these people if they really like F1 as it is nowadays, a marketing show full of off track controversies with gimmicky rules.

very well said. although f1 would not be as big without ecclestone's input, over the years, we have seen great tracks off the calender(france for example) or classic tracks ruined, such as hokenheim. and for what? utter crap races such as bahrain and valencia. do these actually create any decent racing? no. all they do is create much more cash for ecclestone and no benefit to the fans. if ecclestone thinks f1 would be better without the likes of mclaren or ferrari, then its time for someone new in charge, someone with fresh thinking, who actually understands the modern world of racing, someone who actually cares about the fans

[UltimateDanGTR]

The lil' guy thinks he can run a show without teams, just like Max thought last season.

This is the same guy who only allowed for rather crappy coverage of F1 racing week ends and all that for astronomic amounts of money, and who has denied us the possibility seeing racing on some great tracks.

And before anyone comes to tell me how great Bernie is for turning F1 into what it is now, I will ask these people if they really like F1 as it is nowadays, a marketing show full of off track controversies with gimmicky rules.

Amen.

[BDunnell]

It's a bit like Balestre saying there was no place for FOCA all those years ago. Bernie didn't seem to have much problem with a team organisation then...because he ran it! Now he doesn't.

Yes, he is a man of extraordinarily 'versatile' opinions, isn't he?

[Jag_Warrior]

And before anyone comes to tell me how great Bernie is for turning F1 into what it is now, I will ask these people if they really like F1 as it is nowadays, a marketing show full of off track controversies with gimmicky rules.

Actually I do like it for what it is. Even with its warts, I'm over the moon about this season. It's shaping up to be even better than last season... which was also great, IMO. Several times over the years, it could have easily gone the way of CART without the lil dictator. But at the same time, I'd hate to see Bernie be left unchecked. He's got more than enough power as is. On a personal level, I don't care for the little twerp at all. But looking at various series around the globe, F1 has its act together better than most of them.

So my conclusion is, Go FOTA!!!

[wmcot]

Let's see...Bernie demands sponsor logos removed from the pits...the same Bernie thinks Hitler is a great leader...hmm...

[Dave B]

14 posts in and I invoke Godwin's Law. That didn't take long, did it? :s

[jens]

Bernie's criticism could have been more valid if his arguments were simply better. One possible critical point about FOTA is that some of the decisions seem to drag on for too long, like the tyre choice.

[MrMetro]

Actually I do like it for what it is. Even with its warts, I'm over the moon about this season. It's shaping up to be even better than last season... which was also great, IMO. Several times over the years, it could have easily gone the way of CART without the lil dictator. But at the same time, I'd hate to see Bernie be left unchecked. He's got more than enough power as is. On a personal level, I don't care for the little twerp at all. But looking at various series around the globe, F1 has its act together better than most of them.

So my conclusion is, Go FOTA!!!

I must admit i feel the same. even though my post is highly critical about bernie, f1 has managed to stand tall above all other motorsports thanks to ecclestones input

[Jag_Warrior]

I must admit i feel the same. even though my post is highly critical about bernie, f1 has managed to stand tall above all other motorsports thanks to ecclestones input

You'd think he'd be lining up a successor (or the investors would force him to). It was one thing for Big Bill France to pass the torch to Bill, Jr. But hasn't Bernie left most of his assets to Petra and Tamara? Good grief! Is there even the slightest chance that we could end up with the Euro versions of Paris Hilton running F1?! :eek: :D

Seriously, do you know if anyone is being lined up to take over for the little man when he eventually goes to meet his maker?

[Dr. Krogshöj]

And before anyone comes to tell me how great Bernie is for turning F1 into what it is now, I will ask these people if they really like F1 as it is nowadays, a marketing show full of off track controversies with gimmicky rules.

The irony is that some of those gimmicky rule came from FOTA who are proposing even more gimmicky rules for next year... Anyway, I'm enjoying F1 as ever. And what's wrong with the occasional off-track controversy? Every sport has them, they're juicy, the mainstream media talks about them. Plus, we haven't had any this year.

[Koz]

Another war of time wasting and annoyances for us fans??