Bernie Ecclestone – OpenPaddock.net

F1 Soap Box – All the Noise About the Lack of Noise in F1

March 28, 2014March 28, 2014 mike

Ron Walker, the promoter of the F1 race in Melbourne, has been making all kinds of stink about the quieter engines that graced the streets of Albert Park. Even before the FIA excluded the Australian Daniel Ricciardo from his podium, the newspapers were printing vitriol about the lack of engine noise. Add this to the fact that there is growing resentment from the citizens that the Queensland government continues to shell out an exorbitant $50 million a year to subsidize the race, it would be fair to say that the…

The Missed Shift – Weekend At Bernie’s

March 6, 2014March 6, 2014 John Olsakovsky

Over at Bernie’s House There’s a post on Opposite Lock by a user discussing a potential replacement or Bernie Eccelstone should he retire, die or go to prison (the latter appearing to be the most likely). The user suggests that Christian Horner would be a suitable replacement for Bernie, and I can’t disagree. Although I think there are a handful of others who could fill the role equally as well. But who would want to? Let me preface by saying that in order to understand Bernie’s rise to power and…

The Missed Shift – A Nose By Any Other Name

February 2, 2014 John Olsakovsky

Philosophical Ponderings of Proboscises Now that Formula 1 has done their dog and pony show at Jerez and the teams’ 2014 cars are revealed, we have a new talking point: the noses. My favorite is the Definitive F1 Nose Chart over at Jalopnik. Although, personally, I think the Williams nose looks more like the the antagonist from The Ant and The Aardvark: Yeah, it’s the best I got. There’s a reason I never attempted the comedic arts. I’ve seen comparisons to Max Rebo, Binky from Life in Hell, and genitalia…

The Missed Shift – Formula WTF-1?

January 17, 2014January 20, 2014 John Olsakovsky

OK, the title is a bit misleading. The recent happenings in the world of Formula 1 are certainly not surprising enough to warrant a true “WTF”, but they are significant. How much impact they will have on the 2014 season remains to be seen. Both of these articles came up within a very short time, so it was too good to pass up. Ecclestone steps down from F1 board Mr. Ecclestone has proposed and the board agreed that until the case has been concluded, he will step down as…

F1 – How Much is Enough?

December 16, 2012December 16, 2012 Shaun

There is no offseason for Bernie Ecclestone and his constant running at the mouth. With news that HRT is all but done heading into 2013, Bernie has made some statements in regards to the number of teams involved. Ecclestone would rather there be 10 teams on the grid versus 11. “It’s just that 10 is easier to handle, for the promoters, for transport,” he said. “We’d rather have 10, so long as we don’t lose Ferrari.” – Bernie Ecclestone comments from BBC F1 The news of HRT folding up shop…

F1 Soap Box – The Gathering Concorde Storm

May 5, 2011May 5, 2011 mike

If you thought the last round of Concorde Agreement talks were wild and wooly, with a threatened breakaway series and posturing galore from FOTA, well aren’t you in for a treat in the coming months. Some strange forces are aligning as we hear more details about the supposed News Corp interest and with Ferrari sounding off about their displeasure with the current state of F1 and the future technical package. The Timeframe and Players The current Concorde Agreement expires at the end of this season, so this means the teams…

F1 Soap Box – 2012 Venues Under Threat

April 28, 2011April 28, 2011 mike

Bahrain The May 1 deadline imposed by the FIA for Bahrain to reapply for a 2011 race date is upon us. But don’t look for a grand reshuffling of the season finale races to take place to allow Bahrain to slot in around Abu Dhabi. The situation continues to worsen in the tiny kingdom as Saudi troops have been blowing up Shia mosques and similar such things. While it is in Formula One Management’s (FOM) best interests to get this race rescheduled, the FIA is likely to spurn any attempt…

F1 – Bernie Lost the Plot, Mumbles About Shortcuts

January 14, 2010January 14, 2010 mike

Just when you thought Bernie might be slightly humbled after FOTA and the entire F1 following public voiced such a huge outcry against his ‘medal system’ idea at the beginning of last season, the ancient billionaire has reared his head again with a new idea sure to make him the but of the same type of jokes again. Bernie has made his ideas known on increasing overtaking in Formula 1, “I think it would be very easy for us on each circuit to have an area where you could gain…

F1 – Life at the Cosworth End of the Grid: On USF1 and Campos

January 11, 2010 mike

Bernie Ecclestone made some famous comments a couple weeks ago alluding to USF1 and Campos both not making the grid for the 2010 season. Further, Bernie was implicating that Stefan GP would probably take one of their places, making for 12 teams in 2010. Both Campos and USF1 promptly released statements assuring their fans and potential sponsors that they were viable. But now, more details are coming out about both teams that lend credence to the ancient billionaire’s park bench mumblings. All the while continuing to cast further doubt on…

F1 – Peace Deal Brokered

June 24, 2009June 24, 2009 mike

Yesterday, Max Mosley sent out a letter describing in detail why he felt it was in the FIA’s best interest that he stand for re-election when his 4th term as FIA president ends in the fall. This despite his spankgate pledge to stand down from his position when his term expired. However, it looks like Mosley has again reconsidered. According to Autosport’s sources, Mosley, Luca Di Montezemelo and Bernie Ecclestone last night had meetings which have resulted in a deal. At this point, it sounds like the following has been…