Here’s a round-up of F1 news and other interesting links I’ve found today.
If you’ve spotted a hot news story, interesting new website or just something funny from the world of F1, please share your links in the comments below.
Crisis talks to continue into weekend
“Crisis talks over the budget cap regulations will continue into the weekend in Monaco after hours of meetings involving the teams and FIA on Friday again failed to result in a compromise solution being agreed.”
Formula One gridlock may end in legal action against Ferrari
"Ecclestone did not want to talk openly about suing a team that he has said repeatedly are synonymous with Formula One and whose future participation he believes is vital to its health and prestige. But he made it clear that Di Montezemolo could not walk away without paying a hefty price."
"The team, currently racing in the Spanish Formula 3 Championship, is owned by former grand prix driver Adrian Campos, who previously owned current GP2 champion Barwa Addax. This was initially believed to be the team which had F1 plans, something that was denied earlier this week."
Q & A with Paul Ricard’s Gerard Neveu
"We have re-opened the Paul Ricard circuit to visitors this year, and the public did a very warm welcome to this initiative, this also gives us the right to think, it could be an idea." Paul Ricard to have an F1 race again?
Brawn face competition for Richard Branson’s Formula One investment
"20 companies are said to have registered their interest and [Nick] Fry is busy sifting through the candidates. Virgin remains at the top of the list but every victory means the rate card goes up and Branson appears still to be looking for a cut-price deal that offers little hope of a secure long-term relationship."
Di Montezemolo: F1 teams are united
'Mosley said he hoped that he would be greeted by ‘constructive' talks from the teams in Monaco, following threats to walkout last week's talks at Heathrow. "It's a pity that two teams did not want to discuss compromise last Friday in London. They kept trying to get the other teams to walk out. I hope that with Luca present things will be more constructive this time."' Mosley changes his story – a few days ago he was only blaming Toyota's John Howett for the threatened walk-out.
Jacques Villeneuve: "I live in Canada, but when you see the F1 cars with slicks and no refuelling next year it is everything I've asked for over the years, so there is a little moment where you think – wouldn't it be great, but that is it. If there was an opportunity I would not spit on it, the cars are everything I wanted them to be to drive, so it would be fun, and honestly it is a little bit boring right now – nobody says anything apart from the political aspect, so it looks like it could be fun. I was talking with [former race engineer] Jock [Clear] and his comments were that the cars would suit me. So if there was an opportunity it would be a lot easier to say yes than no, purely because I love driving, I love racing and these are amazing cars."
These are links I’ve bookmarked using Delicious. You can see my Delicious profile here.
scunnyman
23rd May 2009, 1:20
Bernie Ecclestone needs to make up his mind.
Does he want to appease Ferrari so they will stay in F1 and help keep the money rolling in, or is he just going to throw threats around.
Maybe he should just stay out of the discussions between FIA and FOTA.
Hopefully a compromise will be sought on Saturday, or at least make substantial headway.
persempre
23rd May 2009, 12:18
Latest I`ve heard is that di Montezemolo is back in Italy & won`t be returning to Monaco. The teams will probably meet at sometime over the weekend but, for now, it`s race time :)
scunnyman
23rd May 2009, 1:26
“FOTA is now an organisation with a common view. We will not enter in the championship with these rules and this governance. So we have to discuss about the possibility to change the situation in a constructive way, but in a very clear way.
I think this quote speaks volumes. They are making it clear that they want Mosley out of the FIA (who doesn’t?) But max will fight to the death to stay where he is.
scunnyman
23rd May 2009, 1:30
I wonder if Villeneuve could cut it back in F1 after being away for so long. I mean his last few seasons in F1 were nothing to write home about.
But at least we’d have one more formaer champion on the grid.
Arnet
23rd May 2009, 7:02
I would love to see him back. Just a question of his level of fitness, frankly. I don’t really think there is a lack of skill, it’s just a matter of, will the reflexes match the messages from the brain. I think there would also be a certain mental toughness and confidence as well. He knows the tracks, he knows how to qualify, he certainly knows how to play politics…..he’ll fit right in.
ajokay
23rd May 2009, 11:48
I’d love to see Villeneuve back too
persempre
23rd May 2009, 12:20
How much does he weigh now?
That`s not intended as an insult but, since the advent of KERS, drivers are going to be subject to anorexia like models unless weight allowances increase or something is done ;)
Kovy
23rd May 2009, 7:34
They should all quit F1, it’s being run like a business, not a sport. Start their own series.
Dougie
23rd May 2009, 9:21
Really!?! It seems to me that reading the various interviews with Head, Fry, Montezemolo, Brawn, etc that they all have different views on how this will pan out and their own position on it. Montezemolo seems to me to be pushing his own & Ferraris view and using his position as head of FOTA to talk for the teams.
That said… as I’ve always said, all these threats and counter-threats are just positioning… there is no and never will be a break-away series. I’ve lost count the number of times F1 has been here with the teams and it all works out, usually for the better, I don’t see this as any different. In fact I’m confident we’ll see real progress (if not the resolution) this weekend.
My position with B & M has changed a lot over this “scandal” and I actually believe that overall they are doing the best for F1 (and Bernies pockets). It would be very difficult for the manufacturers to recreate the success of F1 with a break-away series, it takes a serious amount of organisation to run a successful top-tier race series and the teams can barely organise themselves very well (IMO) …and they know it!
persempre
23rd May 2009, 12:33
They all have their own agendas. It`s not just Ferrari.
The thing is to find common ground & stand firm on the things that they all agree need changing.
As to B & M, their divide & conquer methods are what have brought all these problems. By managing to keep the teams arguing between themselves they were able to go from team to team making different agreements, different back-scratches. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
The teams who are the people who care most about the sport & its` fans & they should be the people who make many of the decisions in the sport while the regulatory body acts as referee & the commercial side looks after its` own business & doesn`t interfere in racing itself.
I agree that a breakaway series is extremely unlikely but not for the reasons you give. It`s the logistics & contractual obligations that make it hard.
It could be done but it would take time & that is what there is little of now.
F1Yankee
24th May 2009, 5:10
i completely agree, dougie.
Chaz
23rd May 2009, 16:12
Crisis talks lol… more like posturing and ego talks lol. Ferrari keep insisting the teams are united which usually means the opposite lol.
Bernie suing Ferrari, now that would be interesting if not exhilarating, maybe even more so than a Monaco GP lol…
persempre
23rd May 2009, 19:51
At present Bernie may be more worried by Michel Boeri saying he wouldn`t seek an extension of the current contract for Monaco if Ferrari leave.