Translated material
Half position
Tensions remain at the Royal Races
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) recently, ahead of the British Grand Prix starting next weekend, published the long-awaited list of participants who should take part in the Formula 1 World Championship in 2010. From the closing date for applications from applicants to enter the “Bolshoi Circus” (May 31) until the very last moment, no one could accurately predict which option the FIA would choose. In the conflict with the teams united in the association (FOTA), the federation was unable to find at least some ways to bring their positions closer together, so there was nothing to choose from.Firstly, the FIA could have resisted and left out of the ten teams of the current championship only those that have already accepted or will accept changes in regulations developed under the leadership of federation president Max Mosley, aimed at limiting budgets. So far there are only two “defectors” - “Williams” and “Force India”. But it is no secret that there has been no unity in the FOTA camp for a long time. Only Ferrari and Toyota took an irreconcilable position, while the rest feel like they are between a rock and a hard place - it is impossible to leave FOTA, and it is completely scary to break with the FIA. Two outsiders plus a dozen little-known teams, many of which were far-fetched for the sake of mass popularity or to intimidate the recalcitrant, without actually having a serious basis for creating a full-fledged “formula” stable - an excellent company for preserving the image of the Royal Racing, in contrast to which the expelled FIA the teams would organize their own championship, the composition of which would truly correspond to the star status of Formula 1.
There was a second option, according to which the same Williams and Force India, as well as Ferrari, Red Bull and Toro Rosso, would receive the green light, since they have a signed consent agreement guaranteeing their rights to participate in the championship until 2012. The FIA could fill the remaining vacancies on a competitive basis from existing and new teams. In this case, the selection criteria could be very diverse, but the main one would be complete loyalty to the leadership of the federation. However, this plan did not resolve all the contradictions and most likely would have ended in the collapse of Formula.
And finally, the simplest solution, which did not provide for an immediate aggravation of the situation, was to declare accepted the two teams that agreed with all the innovations of the FIA, conditionally admit all those who disagreed, and add three newcomers to them. The federation settled on this option, giving the rebels some more time to think. But not much: this Friday the FIA is expecting unconditional surrender from them. But even if the teams still do not accept Mosley’s ultimatum (and this is most likely what will happen), nothing terrible will happen. There will be another deadline for making a decision, then another, the very last one. And this can go on for quite a long time until one of the warring parties runs out of patience.
In general, everything in this story looks rather strange. It seems that everyone is fighting for the same good cause - the preservation and development of Formula 1, but this struggle only brings its collapse closer. And every new proposal, be it cost caps or new technical regulations, adds heat to this dispute. In an effort to make their position clear, the latest press release issued by the FIA on the eve of the British Grand Prix directly begins with the question: “So what is the essence of the dispute?” And then follows a detailed answer on all counts of charges brought against her by FOTA. There were five such points: management, technology, double standards, interference, the nature of Formula 1. If we reduce all the answers to a common denominator, it turns out that it is the teams that do not want the further development of the Formula, trying to maintain the order of things that has developed recently.
All technical innovations proposed by the federation are met with hostility, and if they are not immediately rejected, they are introduced with great difficulty. Team owners complain about the unaffordable costs of racing in Formula but refuse to accept budgetary restrictions. They accuse the FIA of poor leadership, but they themselves cannot come to an agreement even on minor issues. They are afraid of double standards in the rules, but they have always tried to gain an illegal advantage by looking for blind spots in the regulations. They demand non-interference in commercial matters, but the FIA wants to control only the technical aspects. They claim that “limiting budgets harms the very nature of Formula 1,” but they forget about the basic principle of auto racing - competitiveness: when teams spend 400-500 million euros a year, it’s hardly worth expecting replenishment of the ranks in Formula 1 , especially in times of crisis.
By the way, about replenishment. The selection of three new teams from a dozen applicants raises questions. It is especially interesting why the selection committee was so attracted to the application of the Manor company, which could hardly be called a dark horse. What weighty arguments this English team presented in its favor, competing in the national Formula 3, still remains a mystery. How is “Lola”, who has experience in creating cars for Formula 1, or who has long dreamed of getting into the Royal Pro Drive races, worse ?
The candidacies of the other two debutants look more worthy. The Americans from US-F1 were among the first to submit their application, and it has been rumored for a long time that their participation in the next championship is practically a done deal. Apparently, Bernie Ecclestone, as the owner of Formula 1, still has hopes of gaining popularity for his series in the USA. Maybe, having got their own team, the Yankees will finally pay attention to European races. And although in Formula 1 it is not very common to pay attention to the national registration of stables, there is still a certain state prestige in it. So next year the Spaniards will be able to cheer not only for Fernando Alonso, but also for the Campos team, which will compete under the flag of Spain, and one of its owners is the famous basketball player Pau Gasol.
But at least this is a small step towards the next season. We will have to find out very soon whether the parties will be able to make the next one.