Now that there will be no rebellion breakaway series next season, and it has been agreed that the rules for next season will stay the same as this season, if I were Ferrari I would literally turn the remaining 9 races in 2009 into one long test session for next year, and focus 100% on next year's car.
The truth is there is a zero percent chance Ferrari can win any of the championships this year, and it is possible McLaren and others are already thinking "next season" too.
So, why not concede the championships to Brawn GP now, knowing they won the championship against a crippled Ferrari, and come back stronger than ever next season?
It makes political sense, financial sense, would reduce stress among the team, and would be the best way to guarantee long-term success on the track.
Well, is it surprising that at the end of the day, the members of FOTA who threatened to create a breakaway series, we in fact just positioning to get what they wanted from the FIA and FOM?
In short, Max Mosley has agreed to not run for reelection as the head of the FIA ini October, and the ridiculous rules proposed for 2010, including the spending cap have all been scrapped. Instead, they will continue with the 2009 rules until 2012 and the FOTA members themselves agreed to introduce new cost-cutting measures that are supposed to reduce costs to 1990 levels.
The agreement also included technical assistance to the new teams by existing veteran teams - can't wait to see what kind of "assistance" they actually give. Sounds more like the new teams will become more of a test bed for the veteran teams, and a way for the veteran teams to fund their own racing programs. In other words, does anyone really believe, that even after 100 years, that any of these new teams will ever be competitive if they are getting "assistance" from their competitors?
Silly.
Anyway, the good news is we can now relax a bit, and look forward to hopefully a properly run Formula One, which includes the likes of Ferrari, McLaren, Renault and others, to at least 2012.
Remember that double-decker diffuser issue? The one where some teams interpreted the rule the way it was intended and did not design a double-decker diffuser, while others, more intelligently (as far as winning is concerned) exploited a loophole and did design a double- decker diffuser?
Well, it is true that teams like Brawn GP outsmarted teams like Ferrari for making that observation, and as such, after so much time had passed, the FIA allowed the double-decker designs to stay. But, in doing so the FIA, once again, shot itself squarely in the foot... make that both feet.
These double-decker designs allow for up to 30% more downforce than last year's cars. As a result, no matter how you flap the front-wing flaps, passing is even more impossible than before.
"Just as was planned by the FIA, the cars did produce less downforce," said Ferrari's Felipe Massa. "But with the decision to allow the double diffusers, this plan was turned upside down."
Toyota's Timo Glock added that even the moveable front flaps are doing nothing.
"When you're in the turbulence of the cars ahead, all your grip is lost. You're sliding on all four wheels," the German said.
So, just to recap:
The FIA made this revolutionary change in the design of the car for 2009, which included rear wing design, front wing design, overall width, length, the KERS system, slick tires, etc., all in the effort to make passing possible, because it was agreed the world over, that without actual passing during a race, it was no where near as entertaining (they're right), but then, with a single, stupid decision, not only did they blow loads of money that was invested in redesigning the cars, but they also blew away any chance there was of having a competitive, entertaining season with passing.
In other words, instead of giving the fans what they wanted and what they were promised, they shot themselves in the foot and have given the fans the exact opposite.
Bernie Ecclestone is such a weasel it hurts. Who knows what he's thinking these days. On the one hand he tries to pretend he is "with" the FOTA rebel members, but then on the other hand, he tries to sabotage them when ever anyone with a mic is willing to listen:
"It (the breaking away) could ruin it. It would be a disaster and they'd destroy the sport," he said. "I would hate to see any kind of takeover happen because it would be badly managed. They can't even run their own teams. They can't agree on anything. If the teams owned it they would destroy it," Ecclestone added.
Then he tried to make a huge joke when referring to the leaked proposed calendar.
"We organise the venues which don't cost the teams a penny. I reckon Ferrari and McLaren need us more than we need them.
"All they have to do is pitch up at a track with their sponsors' names all over their cars in exchange for millions of quid and race in front of a worldwide television audience -- which I have set up and keep going.
"The bottom line is they can't afford to set up a rival championship."
Ferrari needs Ecclestone more than Ecclestone needs Ferrari?
News Flash you dumb f--k!
If there was no Ferrari, there would be no F1. And if there was no F1 there would be no FOM. And if there was no FOM you'd be just another British commoner in stature and class -- check that, calling Bernie a commoner is an insult to those of us in the middle class.
It must really suck to watch your empire crumble right before your eyes, and at an age where your useless/helpless to try and fight it.
It seems the rumors for a new series are really starting to pick up.
This past weekend at Silverstone, a new name was thrown around: "New Formula"
And even a proposed schedule of 17-races:
Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Jerez, Imola, Montreal, Indianapolis, Silverstone, Magny Cours and Adelaide.
Plus current tracks were also mentioned: Monaco, Silverstone, Monza, Abu Dhabi, Singapore and Suzuka, while potential new venues are Jerez, Portimao, the Lausitzring, Surfer's Paradise (Australia) and even the Finnish capital Helsinki.
Looks like the FIA is finally going through it's next usual phase when "negotiating": putting its tail between its legs and retreating.
"There won't be any writ. I think we would rather talk than litigate," said Max Mosley before walking the Silverstone grid.
In other words, all his empty threats fell on deaf ears, and the FIA can't live without a Ferrari, and since Ferrari and others called his useless bluff, he now wants to "make nice" and "talk".
My response would be "up yours"... and then I'd take my 209 race wins, 15 driver's championships, and 16 constructor's championships and walk the heck out.
I especially like how Bernie - that weasel - is choosing the side of FOTA. He was no better than Mosley at creating the problem, and now pretends he's part of the solution.
Many of you probably know about 'the Stig', which is the local test driver for a BBC show called 'Top Gear'. If you don't, look it up on YouTube, its pretty awesome!
In any case, the whole schtick about the Stig is that his/her identity is a secret. Actually, the first Stig who wore black was revealed, but it was this white-dressed Stig that was the new mystery.
Well Sebastian Vettel won his 2nd GP of the year, and is now only 2-points Rubens Barrichello, and only 25-points behind Jenson Button.
It still looks like a pretty big lead for Button, but if Vettel's RBR can perform like it did today, there is no doubt the RBRs will be winning a lot more races this year. And that goes for Mark Webber too. Webber made it a 1-2 with an awesome drive.
Barrichello finished 3rd, Massa (miraculously) finished 4th, Rosberg was 5th, Button could only manage 6th, Trulli was 7th, and yes, the 2nd Ferrari scored points - I mean a point - too with Kimi finishing 8th.
Ferrari are now 8.5-points behind Toyota in the Constructor's championship.
For Ferrari, it was nice to see some improvement, but it was not the dominating kind. Both Massa and Kimi had to work real hard to maintain their positions. In fact, if Kimi could have been a little more competitive, he could easily have caught Trulli, but couldn't.
Next time I guess, and next time will be the German GP on July 12.
Ferrari has taken a major step forward Saturday during the qualifying sessions of the Silverstone GP. Kimi and Felipe improved all the way up to 9th and 11th respectively.
Heck, Kimi even made it all the way to Q3!
This isn't a joke anymore, its a nightmare.
Ferrari (and the others) can't leave F1 soon enough.
In response to FOTA's threat to breakaway and start a new motor sport series, the FIA has decided to sue all of the teams involved.
Once again, as previously reported, it is quite common when doing business in Europe to get sued if you have a disagreement with someone; however, in this case, despite the legal action the FIA has started, they have only shot themselves in the foot.
First of all, they will lose.
Ferrari and the other teams have the right to not participate in F1. This is why every year the FIA has a deadline for when teams must register to compete. If they don't do so by that deadline, they can't compete.
This year, teams like Ferrari registered, but with the reserve to pull out if an agreement was not met regarding the rules. This was acceptable, because it was clear more time was needed to reach an agreement. More time that would have gone well beyond the registration deadline.
So, now that an agreement was not reached, and the FOTA teams have decided not to participate, why wouldn't they think about starting a new series? It makes total sense, and no judge in the world is going to forbid someone from doing something that is directly related to their livelihood. In this case, think about the thousands of employees and their families that would be affected. At no time would that be acceptable, but during one of the worst financial crisis of the past 100 years, no way.
But lets say the lawsuit works, and the FOTA teams are forced to participate in F1, then what?
Well, the last thing you are going to have is "harmony" in an organization where its governing body sued in order to force the majority of teams participating to do something against their will.
And what about the fans? Aren't we just going to crave that new series FOTA described yesterday?
Talk about the sense of resentment we're all going to feel. It was bad enough already, after this lawsuit, it will only get worse.
The truth is, as is usually the case, the FIA doesn't think before they do. If they didn't like the announcement of a breakaway series, then they needed to have emergency talks to truly try to resolve the issue, not try to force its own views down the throats of FOTA (and the fans) via a lawsuit.
Last time I checked, this sport was supposed to be operated in a fair, and balanced democracy, not in some kind of neo-nazi-type fascism.
But then again, what else could we expect when considering the parties involved?
Ever have an experience where you made what appeared to be a very difficult decision, only to realize after you made it that it wasn't that difficult at all, and that in hindsight, it was a decision you probably should have made a long time before?
That is exactly where certain members of FOTA find themselves right now.
The FIA and FOTA could not come up with a compromise regarding the most resent batch of ridiculous new rules, namely a spending cap, which would in effect create a two-tiered system. Ferrari was the most outspoken regarding the cap, to which the FIA replied by saying Ferrari could leave and that "Formula One would live on without Ferrari".
Well, Ferrari was not alone, and along with McLaren, BMW-Sauber, Brawn GP, Renault, Toyota, Red Bull, and Toro Rosso, are ready to call the FIA's bluff and today have threatened to start a breakaway series.
And I hope to every God, and every star in the sky that it happens.
Can you imagine what this would mean?
"It has become clear that the stables cannot continue to make compromises on the fundamental values of the sport", said a statement from Fota. "They have refused to modify the conditions regarding their signing up to the 2010 world championship. "The teams have no other alternative but to begin to prepare for a new championship which reflects the values of the competitors and their sponsors. "This series will have a transparent governing body, one single set of rules, it would encourage new entrants, would willingly listen to the fans wishes, which includes lower admission prices throughout the world, for the sponsors and major shareholders." In other words:
- No more Bernie 'the weasel' Ecclestone
- No more Max "the Nazi" Mosley
- No more 'anti-Ferrari' rules
- No more 'anti North American' sentiment
- No more waiting months to make a decision on whether or not a diffuser is legal
No more crap... at least we hope.
The point is, as fans, what do we care if its called "Formula One" or not? Some say the history of the sport will be tainted.
Does anyone really think that the history of what is still Formula One won't be directly related to this new series anyway? Does anyone really believe that because the FIA keeps the name F1, that history will somehow look at a new series with names like Ferrari and McLaren as inferior?
No friken way!
So as long as I can still cheer for Ferrari or against McLaren, who cares?
As has always been the case, you better watch out when you do business in Europe, especially with a person like Bernie Ecclestone. Because even if you say "good morning" in the afternoon, that could land you in court in some parts of the continent.
In this case, it's Stefano Domenicali and Ferrari that have prompted the little weasel to load his guns:
"Ferrari's position has not changed," said Domenicali. "Back on 29 May, we put in a conditional entry with the other teams that make up FOTA. Along with this entry, we put forward to the FIA a package of proposals which included among other elements a significant reduction in costs.
"As always, we will do all we can to find a solution that is acceptable to all parties. If this is not possible, then the FIA will not be able to include Ferrari in the list of teams entered for the 2010 FIA Formula One world championship." This, of course has brought back the idea of Ferrari and other teams leaving F1 to start a new, rival series. But, Bernie says if they do that, he'll sue.
"If they do try to set up their own series, and I don't think they will be able to, there are big problems ahead for them. Apart from my contracts with teams, if somebody went to any of our contracted people, companies, television contractors, we would view it very seriously.
"That would be inducement to breach contracts and I don't do that myself, so I won't stand back and let it happen. Any action could run to hundreds of millions of pounds, who knows how much?," he added. I guess Formula One can't live without Ferrari after all, eh?
