I'm not surprised by this. The Turkish govt. funded the Grand Prix, got nothing from it in return and then got dropped by Bernie because he saw more money elsewhere. As Kelis sang: trick me once, you don't trick me twice.
â Well, it depends upon one's perspective. Certainly it was a popular track with TV viewers as well as drivers and teams who found its place on the calendar convenient; but as most know, in an effort to fill the season with the optimal 20 races, Bernie is hunting the big money often only afforded only by Governments â which is especially likely where attendances to support a circuit are low. Unfortunately for fans, I believe the Turkish government are unlikely to be moved by Bernie's motives this time and I very much doubt the circuit can afford it without considerable help. The reason for low attendances was primarily because of a lack of interest amongst the local population but secondarily because of pricing to foreigners during an economic downturn. It would be interesting to consider how such a failure on Bernie's part might send out a message to other organisers/circuits not to be held to ransom any more; and for this reason, my personal answer to the question is "NO !"
The only problem is Cosi, if tracks do start saying no to the crazy fees that they have to pay Bernie, then races will be moved to the middle of nowhere where and be nothing but amusement for multi-billionaires. Seems like a no win.
I doubt it, the sponsors want public coverage more than anything and the teams want products sold. Middle of nowhere tracks don't give that.
If he keeps upsetting people in the west then you could see a rival series filling the void. If F1 was not in the UK, had not UK based teams or drivers then you will see people looking elsewhere. Im suprised how France has taken it on the chin though I dont know any french F1 fans personally to get their view.
Maybe the teams should state that they want X amount of races per continent and that may reduce some of the influence Bernie has on race locations. In reality, I cant see car manufactures getting much joy out of the middle east, certain parts of asia etc... due to teh extreme levels of poverty. At least with Europe, Australia, The Americas etc... you can see the benefit to the car backed teams and general F1 sponsership.
Exactly, because they want to attract people to live there. More people = more money, F1 is just helping it along the way. I see F1 as a modern day (Wish you were here) as well as a motorsport.
That's leaving established historical venues for tracks in the middle of nowhere, funded by multi-billionaires. Wish you were here my arse... Fill Berries Bank more like.
Bando, you're right that they have a thing in common but whether this is as such a 'fault', is debatable. It is that none of them have the desire (or will-power) to pay (or otherwise source) 'Bernie's fee' which has inflated in accord with various national governments (almost entirely non-European), who over the years have gradually been persuaded to essentially out-bid each another, thus upping the ante in a game we might call 'Kudos'*. This 'game' is the ultimate capitalist's dream because there is no effective opposition; and was invented by F1's global ringmaster and reinforced by the strong people he armed himself with long ago. It's a power game which only has one winner so long as he (and associates) continue to be paid a King's ransom, which ups the ante each time because such figures are bandied about at bargaining time. International politics do not extend far enough to limit such exploitation. And he knows it. Indeed, it could be argued he deliberately provides the boxing ring where nations will slug it out for his big prize; after all, isn't that what 'Grand Prix' actually means? This is the reason I'm out of step with the consensus in this poll. - - -o0o- - - *'Kudos' is very similar to Monopoly with loaded dice. But when only one guy throws the dice whilst the players squabble amongst themselves for a little piece of the action, we should not be surprised at the outcome; or that the non-players who ultimately give kudos to the players by funding the game itself (the 'fans') find themselves coerced into paying a different kind of ransom in addition – which for the sake of argument, we might call 'pay TV'…
true they cant afford the fee Bernie has set. yet all overseas gps get a huge discount from mr Ecclestone? Surely this event is to only fill in as a one off in 2013 before new jersey and russia come in. So holding 20 races is more benificial than holding 19 in terms of money Bernie will be making.
Whilst I appreciate that it may not be within Bernie's masterplan to have a race at a particlulat circuit, surley it would make sense to hold it a stop gap venue than not have a race at all. The exposure as of the race weekend through various media sources is worth the promotion alone!
One of the most ridiculous statements I've ever heard uttered. So clearly an attempt to build bridges with Luca.
