Is this really happening???




autosport.com - F1 News: FOTA teams to launch breakaway series

 

Wow. While secretly hoping for this, I'm still absolutely shocked just the same.

The question is: Will new teams like USF1 (well, Peter Windsor is my point here) stick with F1 now that they have their shot and budget limited competitors or will they also move to the new series? I see Windsor wanting to stay with the "big boys" but maybe budgets will dictate otherwise?

 

I have a feeling this actually might help the sport.

 

Hi,

Wow. Just wow.

Surreal.

Cheers,
Nik

 

MOTHER F@CKER!!! Too pissed to comment at this time.

 

You bring up a good point about USF1. I really feel for these guys since they've been working so hard to get off the ground and now that they've actually been accepted into Formula 1, all of the competitors (and most of the fans) will be dropping out! I have a hunch that USF1 will try and stick it out with F1 for the next 2 or 3 years before bowing out to join whatever this breakaway series will be called (assuming it's still around and a viable option at that point).

Either way, this is bad news for both sides. This will be a HUGE struggle for both this new FOTA series and for F1. The fans are essentially caught smack-dab in the middle of this feud and it'll be interesting to see whether more fans rally for the glitz and glamour of what Formula 1 used to stand for, or go with the majority of the veteran teams to watch real racing with less regulation and a much higher level of technology. I know what I'll be watching...

The other big issue here will be media coverage. With Bernie controlling so much of the media with regards to Formula 1, it'll most definitely be a struggle for the FOTA series to gain the airtime it needs to build a solid fan base. F1 coverage is already weak in the US with the constant barrage of NASCAR coverage we see, it'll be nearly impossible to find a timeslot for yet another racing series. Short of starting their own global television network, I honestly don't know how FOTA plans to deal with this.

Crazy times guys. Put your tray tables in the upright position and fasten your seatbelts. We're in for a bumpy ride...

 

Remember when Indy car racing split into Champ & IRL. The sport has never been the same. I am nervous about the future of top level racing.

Right now F1 is the pinnacle. A split will mean the Pinnacle is no longer clearly defined.

 

WOW!!! Excellent news, fcuk Bernie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!

The pinnacle is easy to find ... follow some names like, oh I don't know ... Ferrari ... McLaren ... BMW ... Renault ... Toyota.

Who's left in F1? Force India and Team US? Sucks for them ...

 

Tv will be easy. Bernie only has deals with 1 ( pretty sure ) outlet in each country. Plenty of other choices.

Tracks won't be an issue, plenty more of them ( and the new series will still race Monaco )

Fans will definitely follow the bigger names. Nobody is going to want to sit in a grandstand and watch Force India and other bullshit teams race.

Interesting that Bernie got all his power by being the only guy in the room with the balls big enough to put on the line, and it's been turned around on him.

I'm stoaked for this.

 

I see your point, but it will be a house divided. Unless everyone agrees to race in the same series with the same set of rules, then there really is no "Ultimate" racing series.

Bernie is a power hungry a-hole that pushed his agenda a little too far. However, do consider that Bernie is a brilliant businessman, and there has to be a reason why he would let his precious series blow up in his face like this. There is too much at stake here.

My thought is that both sides are going to extremes in their efforts to "posture" their negotiating positions. Its easy to say anything. Its when they start actually doing things that I will really stand up and take notice.