Collective consent

Great teams will remain in the Royal Races

Tomorrow a significant event should take place in Formula 1, which could put an end to the confrontation that has been going on for several years between the main characters of this sport. The entry deadline for the 2008 season is March 31, meaning all teams must decide their futures between now and 2012. This is precisely the period specified in the so-called consent agreement - a document regulating the legal and, most importantly, financial aspects of the Grand Prizes. The owner of Formula's commercial rights, that is, the actual owner, Bernie Ecclestone, with the support of Max Mosley (FIA), the president of the International Automobile Federation, was involved in a conflict that was more like a bargaining. They were opposed by representatives of five teams united in the so-called Grand Prix Manufacturers Association (GPMA), backed by powerful automobile concerns.

The whole fuss flared up because of Ecclestone’s intransigence: this powerful old man, who rose from a simple mechanic to become a billionaire, does not want to share the income from television broadcasts with those who, in fact, provide these incomes. The teams, of course, get their piece of the pie. When concluding the current agreement, which expires at the end of 2007, they managed to negotiate 48% instead of the previous 23% of annual profits of $800 million. But now even this seems not enough for automakers.

According to the authoritative publication F1Racing, last season the teams collectively spent almost $3 billion. Of course, the contribution of some to this huge amount was more significant, and, for example, Minardi’s 50 million looks quite pathetic compared to Toyota’s half-billion budget. And this difference is precisely the biggest contradiction in the demands of GPMA members. Five teams that are by no means in poverty - McLaren-Mercedes, Renault, Toyota, Honda, BMW - want to increase the participation of stables in the distribution of income to 75-80%. But it is not a fact that all teams would have won.

The current cunning system of distribution of received funds is such that rich favorites become even richer, and outsiders get only crumbs from the master's table. Ecclestone tried to play on this, promising equality between all racing participants. The old fox even went so far as to reduce the entry fee for new teams from 48 million to 300 thousand dollars. Under such conditions, many people dream of joining the top motorsport society, but the number of places in this closed club is limited. Only 12 teams can compete for the Grand Prize. And none of the rebels wanted to lose their place in the sun.

The main ringleader in the opposing camp was McLaren owner Ron Dennis. The Englishman was the last to sign the new agreement, which prompted a caustic remark from Ecclestone, who felt like a winner: “This is normal for Ron. He always fights for equality between the teams, but demands a little more for himself. It must be said that he had no other option but to join, since the contracts with Alonso and Vodafone would only be valid if he participated in the FIA ​​Championship.”

Perhaps Dennis gave up when he learned that there was already an applicant for the last remaining vacant position. Paul Stoddart, the former owner of Minardi, recently told the world about his plans to return to Formula. He sold his stable last year to Red Bull, deciding to give up the expensive toy and focus on business. But even here the Australian was disappointed - things went very badly for his airline, and in the end it had to be closed. By registering the European Minardi F1 Team Limited trademark, Paul wanted to emphasize the continuity of the new team. However, it is too early to say that the cute little “Minardi” is returning to the Circus Maximus arena. “This does not mean that we will certainly participate in the championship, but the first step has been taken,” Paul himself said. “Of all the applicants who can submit such an application, only we already have everything necessary: ​​cars, personnel and a well-equipped base.”

With or without Minardi, it seems that the future of Formula 1 is now out of danger. And in the Royal Races, perhaps, a time of peace and quiet is coming. Although in this sport they are hardly possible, and indeed necessary.

Dmitry SITNIK