Having reached an agreement on cutting running costs for the teams in Formula One just last week, the chairman of the F1 teams association (FOTA), Ferrari president Luca Di Montezemolo has turned his attention to FIA ‘dictator’ Bernie Ecclestone.
The latest Formula 1 news suggests that the unified stance shown by the teams in negotiations with the FIA, may eventually give them the upper hand in further dealings with supremo Ecclestone. Di Montezemolo told the Times that at 78 years old the time was approaching for Ecclestone to step down and is hoping to change the balance of power within the sport, which he suggests ‘is not being run in a normal fashion.’
Di Montezemolo has insisted on further meetings between the drivers and the FIA to discuss the teams earnings from the sport, but would also like to hear some explanations regarding venues and timing of races-something that every F1 fan around the world would like to know.
“Do you think it is normal that we don’t have one race in North America?” said Di Montezemolo, “Do you think it is normal we understand from newspapers that the Canadian Grand Prix is over? Do you think it is normal that we cannot discuss the timing of races?”
The Italian is keen to open a new chapter in Formula one, where there is more transparency in FIA dealings and FOTA have an input into such things as earnings, circuits, spectators,hospitality, television, types of track and timing of races.
The outburst has ruffled Ecclestone’s feathers and he was quick to point the finger at Ferrari, saying ‘They get so much more money than everyone else’ and suggested that Di Montezemolo should ’share all that amongst the teams’ rather than asking for more money.
Having won the constructors championship in 2008, the Ferrari team won $80million more than if rivals McLaren had won it, explained Ecclestone.
Maybe the time is right for a change of leadership at the FIA, Ecclestones recent medals for F1 results was put on the back burner in last weeks discussions, suggesting that it would benefit from further research.
Latest news FIA President Max Mosley will decide whether to stand for re-election in June 2009, but currently has no plans to do so.
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