It's a Messy Mystery
Topic “A” in the world of driving must surely be the impending split of F1 racing teams into one group that want to spend as much money as they can and wish, and the other team that wants a cap on spending budgets.
The economic crisis is affecting just about everyone in the world except, apparently Ferrari. We now have two entities, FOTA and FIA. Bernie Ecclestone, the Commercial Rights Holder heads FIA the original sponsors of Formula 1 Racing, and under their leadership Formula Racing has become what it is today. However, being sensitive to the effects that the slowdown in car sales are having on motor companies, and with the survival of the sport in mind, FIA have tried to negotiate with the teams a cap on spending.
The problem with implementing such a noble idea is that long-term participants have built up a huge infrastructure to back their cars, and to now cut spending would mean cutting that infrastructure. That’s not an easy thing to do. In the world of high cost, high stakes sports the question is perhaps simply can you afford to play the game or not. If you have to ask what will it cost, then you perhaps shouldn’t be in it. Those companies that can no longer afford the outlay have simply opted out.
At the moment eight teams have lined up on Ferrari’s side, and only five have confirmed to stay with the FIA. The FOTA have said that after 2012 they will mount their own racing series, but that remains to be seen.
Of particular interest is the fact that certain countries have entered into the incredible expense of constructing racing circuits especially for F1, and then those venues have been dropped in favour of newcomers. This would appear to be especially harsh to me.
The mystery element enters when we take a look at what is happening on the track. There was a time when race results were predictable. We knew from one year to the next that Michael Schumacher would win in his Ferrari. However, since his retirement a magical thing has happened. The world championship is anyone’s game and there is no way of telling beforehand what will happen. However, that may be in question.
During Michael Schumacher’s days F1 suffered a fall-off in interest as he was such a powerful force together with his car. That was only natural, and for a time tennis was affected by the same thing as the Williams sisters dominated, and over in golf Tiger Woods was unbeatable. Now, however, one year we are seeing one man winning race after race to become world champion, and the next year he disappears off the radar. He is the official defending champion, but he completes his races way back in the pack.
This year we have Jenson Button who can do no wrong. I really must ask myself what is going on with “The Curious case of Jenson Button.” Sorry, I couldn’t resist that, but it does help to underscore my case. I am asking myself whether there could be some kind of manipulation as to the results in the interest of keeping the sport alive. I could certainly understand the motivation, however, it would be dishonest, and if fans come to suspect that race results are fixed then interest will evaporate like smoke into thin air.
FOTA is a new organisation whose initials stand for “Formula One Teams Association.” Their objective is “To promote the development of Formula One and enhance its worldwide image and reputation.”
FIA is the “Federation Internationale de l’Automobile.” As the name implies it is a huge organisation based in Paris, France whose remit is the welfare and well-being of the automotive public at large, as well as concentrating on Formula One racing.
Formula One has descended into both mess and mystery and bears watching carefully. We certainly have not heard the last from this sport, and that’s for certain.
Copyright © 2009 Eugene Carmichael
Topic “A” in the world of driving must surely be the impending split of F1 racing teams into one group that want to spend as much money as they can and wish, and the other team that wants a cap on spending budgets.
The economic crisis is affecting just about everyone in the world except, apparently Ferrari. We now have two entities, FOTA and FIA. Bernie Ecclestone, the Commercial Rights Holder heads FIA the original sponsors of Formula 1 Racing, and under their leadership Formula Racing has become what it is today. However, being sensitive to the effects that the slowdown in car sales are having on motor companies, and with the survival of the sport in mind, FIA have tried to negotiate with the teams a cap on spending.
The problem with implementing such a noble idea is that long-term participants have built up a huge infrastructure to back their cars, and to now cut spending would mean cutting that infrastructure. That’s not an easy thing to do. In the world of high cost, high stakes sports the question is perhaps simply can you afford to play the game or not. If you have to ask what will it cost, then you perhaps shouldn’t be in it. Those companies that can no longer afford the outlay have simply opted out.
At the moment eight teams have lined up on Ferrari’s side, and only five have confirmed to stay with the FIA. The FOTA have said that after 2012 they will mount their own racing series, but that remains to be seen.
Of particular interest is the fact that certain countries have entered into the incredible expense of constructing racing circuits especially for F1, and then those venues have been dropped in favour of newcomers. This would appear to be especially harsh to me.
The mystery element enters when we take a look at what is happening on the track. There was a time when race results were predictable. We knew from one year to the next that Michael Schumacher would win in his Ferrari. However, since his retirement a magical thing has happened. The world championship is anyone’s game and there is no way of telling beforehand what will happen. However, that may be in question.
During Michael Schumacher’s days F1 suffered a fall-off in interest as he was such a powerful force together with his car. That was only natural, and for a time tennis was affected by the same thing as the Williams sisters dominated, and over in golf Tiger Woods was unbeatable. Now, however, one year we are seeing one man winning race after race to become world champion, and the next year he disappears off the radar. He is the official defending champion, but he completes his races way back in the pack.
This year we have Jenson Button who can do no wrong. I really must ask myself what is going on with “The Curious case of Jenson Button.” Sorry, I couldn’t resist that, but it does help to underscore my case. I am asking myself whether there could be some kind of manipulation as to the results in the interest of keeping the sport alive. I could certainly understand the motivation, however, it would be dishonest, and if fans come to suspect that race results are fixed then interest will evaporate like smoke into thin air.
FOTA is a new organisation whose initials stand for “Formula One Teams Association.” Their objective is “To promote the development of Formula One and enhance its worldwide image and reputation.”
FIA is the “Federation Internationale de l’Automobile.” As the name implies it is a huge organisation based in Paris, France whose remit is the welfare and well-being of the automotive public at large, as well as concentrating on Formula One racing.
Formula One has descended into both mess and mystery and bears watching carefully. We certainly have not heard the last from this sport, and that’s for certain.
Copyright © 2009 Eugene Carmichael
