“Good chance” Monza will lose F1 race – Ecclestone

48 comments on ““Good chance” Monza will lose F1 race – Ecclestone”

1. 

   f1freek (@f1freek)
   22nd August 2015, 1:15

   I don’t think I can watch F1 without Monza being on the calendar. I don’t really care that its not one of the best places for the “show” but its such a staple to the sport that it doesn’t seem fitting to lose it. If F1 loses Monza it will be a shot to the foot for the sport.
   1. 

      @HoHum (@hohum)
      22nd August 2015, 2:36

      Bernie is fighting a rear guard action, sooner or later the revenue from F1 will have to be shared more equitably or F1 will die.
      In the beginning track owners would pay the teams a combination of appearance money and prize money in the well found hope that they would make a profit by selling tickets to people who had no other way to watch a race other than go to the track and buy a ticket, additional income came to the promoter from selling advertising space around the track and food and drink concessions, now F1 demands more money to appear than ticket sales can raise, plus it demands all the additional revenue and it sells world wide TV rights providing competition for viewers with the track promoters. It is totally obscene that Bernie and his partners are taking home $Billions while teams and tracks are being bankrupted.
      1. 

         f1freek (@f1freek)
         22nd August 2015, 3:01

         @hohum Agree. F1 runs on an archaic business model that is not relevant nowadays. Adding to that, TBH I rather watch a race at home than on the track because there isn’t much to do on a Sunday. Thursday-Saturday is great; the pit walk, drivers autographs, the atmosphere. But on Sunday its just the race and thats it. That’s what F1 needs to implement from Nascar and Indycar. I want to see the cars in the garage, the drivers walking around the paddock without having to pay ridiculous amounts of money. F1 needs to open up and give fans what they want because at the end it’s them who are the primary source of income for tracks, and the sport
   2. 

      Atticus (@atticus-2)
      22nd August 2015, 9:41

      Don’t worry, it’s still just negotiation talks most probably.

      Bernie just wants the organizers to pay more – the organizers obviously wants to pay less, I don’t think they believe that Bernie asks the same price from every one of them. In all honesty, I don’t believe so either.

      But, in the end of the day, Bernie also knows how much Monza means to the sport and so negotiations will speed up once it’s deadline day for starting to prepare for next years GP in terms of marketing, ticket sale programmes, etc. And then they’ll simply strike a price and a deal.

      That’s how I see it unfolding.
   3. 

      Strontium (@strontium)
      22nd August 2015, 13:03

      @f1freek I agree. If Monza goes, I go as well.
2. 

   Nick (@nick101)
   22nd August 2015, 1:16

   The thought that Monza or any of the other iconic tracks like Spa and Silverstone might not be on the calendar is just sacrilegious!

   Honestly, what has F1 become!?
3. 

   Uzair Syed (@ultimateuzair)
   22nd August 2015, 1:21

   Bernie, please go away. None of the real F1 fans want you.
   1. 

      US_Peter (@us_peter)
      22nd August 2015, 5:44

      I doubt there are many casual fans that are particularly excited about his presence in the sport either. I’m sure he’ll be missed by some within the sport when he’s gone, but the sport will certainly be better for it.
      1. 

         maarten.f1 (@)
         22nd August 2015, 8:16

         @us_peter

         but the sport will certainly be better for it

         Will it? I’m not necessarily disagreeing with you here, I do think it’s time for Bernie to leave this job to someone else. But will it certainly be better? When Todt took over as FIA president, I figured things would improve. They haven’t. The same could happen to FOM, it all depends who’s taking over and who has ownership. As long as CVC owns Formula One, not much will change.
4. 

   Albert
   22nd August 2015, 1:25

   Losing Magny-Cours was already painful enough, Hockenheim/Nürburgring are not safe and they want to add Monza? Madness.

   I’m not one to fall for the “OMG Bernie is such an evil character”-mentality, but it’s difficult to defend his circuit negotiation policy. Losing circuits that have been the bones, heart and soul of F1 is simply beyond stupid, and the addition of boring tracks like Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Russia for the sake of quick, short-term investments is ridiculous.

   The silver lining here is that F1 and Ferrari are insanely huge, so I’m confident a deal will be reached. I’m still annoyed that we even got here, though.
   1. 

      RogerA
      22nd August 2015, 12:30

      Losing Magny-Cours was already painful enough

      why it was a circuit that always put on awful races.

      shoudl never have moved the french gp away from paul ricard which was/is a much better track.
      1. 

         Baron (@baron)
         22nd August 2015, 17:48

         Everybody in F1 was delighted when “Magny-Curse” was deleted – it was the most hated track on the schedule. Not talking about the French Grand Prix here, the absence of which is a disgrace, just Magny-Curse.
5. 

   Albert
   22nd August 2015, 1:29

   On the CoTD/ Radio bans: I don’t think people are expecting less saving, but at least this time it will based on driver instinct/judgement/knowledge instead of pit orders.

   Though I do wonder if it may have a negative effect: not knowing the exact condition of tyres, fuel and brakes, what if drivers resort to be overly cautious?

   I remember last year during the Russian GP, drivers stated that they were saving tyres the whole race, but in the end it resulted unnecessary because the tyres weren’t degrading as much as in other circuits, but they didn’t know that. Which makes me say it for the 1000th time: quick-degrading tyres have to go.
   1. 

      Iestyn Davies (@fastiesty)
      22nd August 2015, 2:33

      If they are overly cautious then is that not their own fault? McLaren told Jenson to drive to a slow delta at one race, and near the end he did a mega lap when it was obvious they had got it wrong. A variable such as this simply helps to further differentiate the better teams and drivers.
      1. 

         Albert
         22nd August 2015, 2:56

         @fastiesty I’m not sure if drivers can actually learn to predict the tyres’ behavior. The fact that the engineers got it wrong as your example provided shows it’s a very difficult thing to do. The way the current tyres work, degrading suddenly and in such unexpected ways, are not meant to be judged by drivers. It makes me think that if a driver get it right it will be due to sheer luck rather than actual talent.
6. 

   Keith Crossley
   22nd August 2015, 1:32

   More than a “good chance” – it’s done. I cancelled our cable service. I no longer can get F1. After 55+ years of watching. Bye bye Bernie.
   1. 

      Iestyn Davies (@fastiesty)
      22nd August 2015, 2:38

      Plus, you can still get it if you really want to..
7. 

   James Coulee
   22nd August 2015, 1:45

   I suspect that all the info previously sent to the drivers by radio will simply appear on the inboard display, including fuel situation, tire situation, clutch setting for the start, etc.. In the end all will be the same.
   1. 

      Optimaximal (@optimaximal)
      22nd August 2015, 7:46

      That was originally the plan when cutting down the radio messages. It was mothballed when the smaller teams all said ‘we can’t afford the new displays’… They’re about £40k each of I remember correctly (as usual for F1, for not reason other than ‘some will pay that’).
8. 

   ruliemaulana (@ruliemaulana)
   22nd August 2015, 1:49

   Would Renault buying Lotus really turn to be a good decision? Looks like they buying a trouble team that will only drag them down. Renault had to face Lotus’s problem of losing most of its key development personnel, Lotus’s debt, Lotus’s not so great line of drivers, Genii Capital restructured process and the most worrying thing is that Renault had to face and clear a lot of Lotus’s legal mess.
   Charles Pic threat to seize Lotus car in Belgium seem like a tip of iceberg. All Lotus’s previous contract dispute will naturally emerge when ‘new Lotus’ had more money to spend.
9. 

   Neil (@neilosjames)
   22nd August 2015, 1:50

   “We’re not interested in the money, we are interested in entertaining the public and doing a service. That’s what we are here for.” – Bernie.

   I just spat tea all over my keyboard.
   1. 

      Mike (@mike)
      22nd August 2015, 6:45

      Mmm…. More than likely a disingenuous claim.

      Unless one can argue that keeping the money rolling from circuits via threats is the only way to keep the sport going…
   2. 

      BrawnGP (@brawngp)
      22nd August 2015, 12:38

      I passed out and whacked my head on the table…have only just woke up!
10. 

    Paul (@frankjaeger)
    22nd August 2015, 2:07

    Returning F1 to the BBC would be great. Stabilise the viewership and give people peace of mind that the race will be broadcast on FTP, and relieve people of the pain of seeing which races aren’t live broadcast and which are. I really hope F1 continues to polish its carbon fibre for 2017.
    1. 

       Optimaximal (@optimaximal)
       22nd August 2015, 7:53

       @frankjaeger It’s just a PR move in the wake of RTL re-signing.

       He expressly said ‘keeping the current model’ is the intent. There’s no plan to return F1 to the BBC in any larger way because Sky are paying so much and it’s more likely that the corporation will have to take a newer, cheaper deal with less live races because it’s about to be financially gutted by Tory vultures.
    2. 

       anon
       22nd August 2015, 8:45

       To be honest, whilst there would be some benefits for a free to air deal, it’s hard to feel that enthusiastic given that the quality of the BBC’s coverage has been declining for quite a few years now.
11. 

    Guilherme (@guilherme)
    22nd August 2015, 2:13

    I expect some people to tell me I’m overreacting, but if FOM drops Monza, it will be the final nail in the coffin for me. I’ve been watching F1 for 17 years now, it has been a part of my life, but enough is enough. Perhaps the greatest downside of being so invested into a sport as a supporter is that you know too much – you start to care about the politics of governance of the sport (because you care for its health) and from there on its just constant disappointment. It began to bother me seriously around the second half of 2013, and it got to a point where I stopped watching midway through 2014 because I wasn’t getting any enjoyment out of F1 to justify the time I was allocating to it. I came back this year and I’m enjoying it again, I like the new engines and I’m looking forward to the 2017 rule changes, but if Monza isn’t there, then I won’t be either.

    Over the recent past we’ve lost the San Marino, French and German Grands Prix, the British Grand Prix was threatened, Spa was skipped a couple of times and now the Italian Grand Prix is facing the axe… In a sport that generates more than a billion every year, it’s inconcievable that the most traditional races are even allowed to be threatened. It may sound petty to some, but this is a tradition issue for me. This is a 66-year old sport, and if they can protect this heritage, then they absolutely should. I just can’t agree to support a sport that will sell its soul to the highest bidder.
    1. 

       Albert
       22nd August 2015, 2:30

       @guilherme

       It may sound petty to some, but this is a tradition issue

       It’s even worse than that, it’s a quality issue. Magny-Cours, Monza, Silverstone, Nürburing/Hockenheim (before the butchering) are among the greatest circuits in the world. We are replacing them with the likes of BIC, Yasmarina, Marina Bay and Sochi.

       Not only are we losing heritage, one could even argue that some diversification is needed and welcomed, but we’re sacrificing great amounts of quality tracks, and that’s irreplaceable.

       If those circuits were more like CotA, it would make the lose of tradition at least palatable. But the way things are now, it’s just terrible.
       1. 

          anon
          22nd August 2015, 8:37

          Albert, since when did Magny-Cours become a “quality track”? The circuit has been criticised for years for an uninventive layout (the track just copied corners from other circuits and then stuck them together) that created a very narrow racing line, resulting in very processional and predictable races. If Magny-Cours had Tilke’s name on it, I suspect that most would be moaning about it rather than praising it.

          The only reason why the races were held there in the first place was because Mitterand’s Finance Minister was the Mayor of Nevers and was happy to throw money at the event. When was the last time that a driver spoke about Magny-Cours in a fond manner? When did you last hear a fan talk about how great the circuit was, or about any of the races that were held there? When we hear people say that they want the French GP to be revived, it is rather notable that few fans ever suggest going back there (Paul Ricard seems to be the more popular choice).
12. 

    NinjaBadger (@ninjabadger)
    22nd August 2015, 2:24

    I’d really miss Monza if indeed it does lose its spot on the calendar. And I don’t [just] mean that in the ‘historic track’ sense.

    I’d miss it because of how unique it is as a track compared to the others, in terms of technical challenges. With the cars looking different as teams bringing their low-downforce set-ups to adapt to the track.

    Although I do wonder how much money teams would save by not racing at Monza. As they would not have to design/test parts for the different challenge Monza gives.
13. 

    Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
    22nd August 2015, 2:29

    “F1 likely to lose its soul” would be an accurate title too.

    I hope Monza doesn’t get a deal… F1 doesn’t deserve them, they have plenty of other races and activities during the year. In fact, I hope we lose all the proper tracks… why keep squeezing money out of tracks? we cannot risk to lose Nurburgring, Spa, Silverstone or Monza… nevermind F1, all motorsport benefits from those venues being in the calendar, but F1 tries time and time again to destroy them by paying enormous fees because “F1 is too unique”. Yeah… unique in making itself explode.

    Imagine tennis without Wimbledon… or WEC without Le Mans… or Augusta in Golf…

    If dad cannot take son to Monza and tell him: “Grandpa and I saw Ayrton racing here”, what is there left? people going: “when we went here, Rihanna played that night…”

    That’s F1 right now… no tradition, only show business
14. 

    Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
    22nd August 2015, 2:37

    In the end of the day, they can just throw polls everywhere, but if someone decides something up above, our thoughts and opinions go to the toilet… It’s depressing but it’s the truth… works on many levels, regardless of the subject.
    1. 

       Formula1 (@s2g-unit)
       22nd August 2015, 2:58

       Which is why we need to stop watching, supporting, subscribing to pay TV and stop going to races, The only way this sport willl change for the better. The way we want it to be is to stop giving them money because it’s called “Formula One”. In my opinion what we have today is no longer truly Formula One.

       If another racing series came with these stupid rules, stupid tracks. Penalties for everything, DRS to pass etc. we would laugh and never watch.
       1. 

          Albert
          22nd August 2015, 3:02

          @s2g-unit Stop watching will simply lead to Ecclestone to expand further away from the things we like. He’s already created a business model that is less reliant on TV audiences and more in extraordinary venues at high prices in countries willing to pay for them. Not watching simply opens the door for all the nonsense he’s wanted to introduce over the years, double points, water sprinkles, etc.
          1. 

             Johnny Five
             22nd August 2015, 9:40

             The insane fees he gets from the oil-rich countries are based on the idea that having a Formula One event gives them international credibility. If there are only a handful of spectators, and TV companies across the world are dropping coverage because not enough viewers are watching the adverts or paying the subscriptions, then Bernie’s business model ceases to appeal to anyone.
             I’m not saying that’s necessarily a good thing from our (i.e. the fans) point of view – who knows what lies down that road? But ultimately, yes, the fans do have the power to make F1’s commercial side very different.
15. 

    Ed Marques (@edmarques)
    22nd August 2015, 2:39

    Bernie is doing his old talk, pressuring for money on the press.
    I would wait a little to see what happens.
16. 

    @HoHum (@hohum)
    22nd August 2015, 3:17

    Great opposite lock drift in that slo-mo from DanRic, pity we don’t see that in the races anymore, except that is, after a late safety car sprint to the finish.
    1. 

       anon
       22nd August 2015, 8:52

       Why should they drive like that? It’s visually flamboyant but markedly slower, and I thought that you wanted the drivers to get around the circuit as quickly as possible, not showboating for the camera.
17. 

    mn2mn
    22nd August 2015, 5:52

    For me I don’t think F1 will lose Monza, Ferrari won’t allow it, I think Mercedes will push for the German gp back, they were just too late this year. Thanks to RB we have Austria back. I want to ask Bernie if he wants to push out Silverstone as well so that India can come in, hey, British India GP. Not bad.
18. 

    Alex Bkk (@alex-bkk)
    22nd August 2015, 6:00

    Bernie is well past his expiration date…
19. 

    Andrey Baydin
    22nd August 2015, 6:06

    Monza’s chance of new F1 deal fading
    “I hope we don’t lose it but I think there is a good chance we will.”

    Bernie Ecclestone considering offering BBC cut-price contract…
    “We’re not interested in the money, we are interested in entertaining the public and doing a service. That’s what we are here for.”

    These two lines are on the same page.
    Need I say more :)

    *your best attempt at insulting a well-respected elderly gentleman could have been here*
20. 

    Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
    22nd August 2015, 8:05

    At last, a hashtag that’s worth writing in big letters down the side of a car! Well done Dan.
    Those Red Bulls were looking quite exciting to drive through Fagnes and Stavelot with the skinny rear wing on.
21. 

    Philip (@philipgb)
    22nd August 2015, 9:24

    I’m pretty sure a business man like Bernie knew going pay to view in one of the largest markets would cost viewers. I doubt this has been a change of heart from him.

    Perhaps Sky have looked at the viewing figures and realised an alarming amount are people streaming rather than subscribing. That and the fact that I doubt many bars show races like they do the football.

    A shame because the Sky coverage is better.
    1. 

       Dan
       22nd August 2015, 12:26

       I think the Sky coverage is getting tired, and definitely not worth the money for me. It’s interesting that they’ve had to cut staff and share resources with other companies in the stable like Sky Italia because their budgets have been slashed to pay for the latest Premier League deal. It’s a shame they have to keep their viewing figures secret because I’d love to know whether their deal with Bernie is still cost-effective.
    2. 

       RogerA
       22nd August 2015, 12:37

       @philipgb agree, the sky coverage is by far the best f1 coverage i have ever experienced.

       every session live with a ton of additional onboard camera feeds across a few platforms, i’d hate to lose that.
       i think sky’s commentary team is better than what the bbc has (i hate coulthard & feel he’s dragging ben edwards down) & i feel the other sky team is better also as i just I can’t stand eddie jordan’s nonsence & suzi perry is just crap (especially compared to jake humphrey).

       i had to watch the bbc coverage of the spanish gp this year & really missed the extra content and overall quality of the sky coverage.
22. 

    ColdFly F1 (@)
    22nd August 2015, 9:53

    It seems van der Garde was en route to Spa to meet PIC.
23. 

    RogerA
    22nd August 2015, 12:40

    regardless of what caused the tyre failure i think its been pretty clear for a while now that the drivers don’t have the confidence in pirelli they did with tyre suppliers in the past. i’ve also had the impression for a while than the drivers (like majority of the fans) have had enough of the absurd high degredation nonsense & want o go back to proper racing tyres.

    if there was a poll i suspect all the drivers would like most the fans in the poll on here last week did would vote for michelin over pirelli.
24. 

    Wesley (@)
    22nd August 2015, 22:37

    “We’re not interested in the money, we are interested in entertaining the public and doing a service. That’s what we are here for.”

    That is the biggest steaming pot of B.S. I have ever read.

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