With Germany’s spot on the Formula One calendar effectively dormant and Italy’s GP at Monza in an imperilled state, the revolving-door nature of the Formula One Wold Championship has hit dizzying levels of irony.
It wasn’t not long ago that Germany and Italy were the only venues left in which Bernie Ecclestone could generate revenue through relaxed tobacco advertising legislation.
What was once a marriage of convenience for Ecclestone has now become parody, with the championship resembling a cigarette-dispenser – something has to pop out for another race to slot in.
More and more of the championship is being built on shaky foundations. Ecclestone might be squeezing as much as he can from banana republics to make a quick buck, but if it’s a casual fling he’s after, is he going about it the right way?
I only watch a few tennis meets a year and have a terrible knowledge of the Davis Cup. I also ignorantly assume that the only golf event of any worth is the U.S. Open. Similarly I’d expect the casual Formula One viewer would have the barest knowledge of Sochi and even less interest in the potential of a race in Rwanda – yes, incredibly there are provisional talks in place for a race there.
Grand Slam events in tennis and majors in golf amplify the sense of occasion, much like the Monaco Grand Prix brings out every armchair expert who’s ever had a passing interest in The Rockford Files.
But if these blue riband events are what the fly-by-night viewer is watching, then instead of forcing them into extinction, why not milk them for all their worth? Enshrining grand prix venues like Silverstone, Monaco, Monza, Suzuka and Spa would not only appease the purists, but coagulate any casual viewers swimming against the current. Even Major League Baseball’s World Series never ventures outside North America and what harm has that done?
Extra points for these rounds could increase the gravity of these races, with a ‘historical significance’ clause set to ensure promoters are not susceptible to Bernie’s fluctuating race fees. I doubt this would happen, but then I’m writing in the interests of the sport, not those drinking from the trough.
With seven back-to-back races scheduled next year, teams are already struggling to make it through the season and less proceeds from CVC’s one-way revenue street means only the biggest teams will survive.
But then using my argument, maybe having just Mercedes and Ferrari circulate around Azerbaijan could just enhance the sense of occasion. Everyone remembers Indianapolis 2005 right?
paul andersen
Guest
F1 only has history and the name 'formula one' going for it, and they seem to be turning there back on a lot of there history. drivers youve never heard of driving cars youve never heard of racing in countries that didnt exist ten minutes ago. if ferrari(or fiat who pay the bills) ever decide to walk away and go sports car racing seriously(where most of the other major manufacturers are now), F1 will be like the emperors new clothes.....
Not convinced
Guest
I agree Rob. F1 has become sterile and sanitised. Press conferences resemble shareholder meetings full of weasel words and corporate jargon. There's little passion and fight, just sooking, tantrums and blaming someone or something else. As I've said, the commodity of F1 is being diminished and won't be worth diddly squat to anyone if they keep going as they are.
Kaks
Roar Guru
I also stopped watching it this year. First year in many where i dont give two hoots. I miss the days where there were less rules and regulations. Each team provided the best car they could, the tyres held up so that every driver could take their cars to the maximum available and we had real races where drivers tried to overtake each other instead of trying to manage their fuel, manage their engines and preserve their tyres.
Rob Morgan
Guest
F1 has almost lost me. Some F1 driver were shown a video showing "Heel & Toe" and they didn't know what it was. The drivers ability to bring a sick car home when he had over revved it and may have done damage are gone. Missing the set up now a days is fixed by wire. The drivers ability to make decisions has been removed and taken over by engineer's A good formula ford driver could probably take Louis Hamilton in equal FF cars ( sorry no auto trans and paddle shifts here). You don't have to worry over revving an engine or worrying that you may have trashed your gearbox 'cause you missed a shift. The driver's screw-ups have been taken out of the equation. Lei's now talk about the sound of F1 cars. They sound like 500cc grand prix motor cycles F1 is supposed to be the ultimate car. Look at FIA WEC proto types. If you're going for long lasting and fuel economy then they are closer to what you are looking for. Electric tricks IE: kers systems( However it's spelled) have no place in F1 unless you can use it anytime not just on the straights. What ever happened to no moveable aerodynamic devices ? The idea is that technology has removed the driver from the equation as far as the driver feeling the machine they are riding in and controlling and having the knowledge on how to drive fast and make it to the end. " To finish first, first you must finish". Go ahead give me crap back for my opinion. I've been watching F1 for over 50+ years and have watched it evolve over the years,; not always for the good. Remember the H-16 BRM and the 6 wheel Tyrrell? All within the rules, but not necessarily good. Technology will progress until we won't need drivers and the cars will be controlled like RC cars.
Not convinced
Guest
I stopped watching this year after Pay TV took over but follow via articles, the races aren't worth watching anymore. It's easy to see that Bernie is just chasing dollars and will give a GP to anyone who'll pay. Problem is that eventually hosts will realise that it isn't commercially viable and like the Olympics, they'll be reluctant to bid for the rights to host. Then what? Do a race in Rwanda like the article says? Seriously? The value of F1 is being diminished, not enhanced and as teams pull out (Red Bull) and venues either pull out or are shut out (Monza) the commodity of F1 will be worth what?
Sir Tony Abbott - Ambassador to Russia
Guest
Rugby league still seems to be around and noone watches that either.
Rodge
Guest
Good article - I used to have a keen interest in F1 when I was a shiftworker but the endless fiddling and money chasing (I put Bernie in the same class as Blatter) has meant that I haven't watched a round for years.
Ryan
Guest
blah blah