RE: PH blog: Why Bernie makes me angry
Discussion
If Europe is of no consequence to F1 then why do they make the drivers drive races in non-prime locla times for racing.... was pretty sure it was to help ensure the maximum European viewing figures... otherwise why make them drive around at dusk or during monsoons?
Bernie is such a money grabbing leech, that unfortunately knows the game all too well. No doubt he i trying to raise the European race fees in order to make up the loss of profits that the F1 teams will demand (and ultimately deserve!) when the new concord agreement is argued over.
just cut the chat and get the racing back on TV for the masses.
Bernie is such a money grabbing leech, that unfortunately knows the game all too well. No doubt he i trying to raise the European race fees in order to make up the loss of profits that the F1 teams will demand (and ultimately deserve!) when the new concord agreement is argued over.
just cut the chat and get the racing back on TV for the masses.
I don't think he's an idiot, but very clever. I think everything he says is carefully weighted, in part, to provoke a reaction like this.
We are getting complacent (from a business perspective) in Europe and having Bernie spell it out might make a difference in our competitiveness.
F1 is for Europe to lose and it's not really about racing cars any more.
We are getting complacent (from a business perspective) in Europe and having Bernie spell it out might make a difference in our competitiveness.
F1 is for Europe to lose and it's not really about racing cars any more.
900T-R said:
Europe is the past. He may have a point - at least in an economical sense. But if we accept that as a given, F1 is fked, too - as visitor numbers to most if not all of the 'new' countries' GPs testify.
All in all, this sounds like openly admitting F1 in its current form is akin to flogging a dead horse.
Its a good point. Bernie drives down the value of F1 capital by stating the bleeding obvious. Big sponsers and advertisers move to sports that are popular in up and coming regions. Bernie gets the boot for loosing the money. Without massive budgets it becomes easier to be competitive in F1. Less need for newfangled artificial ways to keep it interesting. Conclusion, keep it up Bernie, you are doing a great job.All in all, this sounds like openly admitting F1 in its current form is akin to flogging a dead horse.
Tyre Tread said:
Quite a rich idiot though!
This....Sam the Mut said:
publicity stunt
....and this (sort of).Not so much a publicity stunt as yet another reverse psychology move by Bernie, who never sways from the message that F1 is something that you want, and if you want it you have to pay.
Bernie managed to get Toyota to fork out a year's worth of entry bond in 2001 just to secure their position in F1 even though they weren't in a position to compete that year. Similarly he acquired his own media production company and equipment (well, he didn't as technically he owns nothing and has practically zero personal wealth - see the Gribowsky case for details of his tax evasion tactics...) when he persuaded Kirch to massively overpay for the rights to pay-TV (known at the time as Bernievision) F1 only for them to default shortly afterwards - not unlike what he did to Donnington simply to pressure Silverstone in to doing his bidding under threat of losing the British GP.
PS. I got banned from the PitPass forum 8 years ago for making the above points, so clearly someone over there must like him.....
It does seem a real shame that Bernie is doing this. I'd like to see places like Estoril, Paul Ricard, Imola and Turkey make a comeback but that's looking increasingly unlikely now. At least Silverstone can relax now it's secured a 17 year F1 race contract. The only European race I wouldn't be sorry to see go is Valencia as it always generates very dull racing. But then I think it would be good to see a comeback from Argentina and Mexico and the race in Russia could be interesting. I think a balance between Europe and the rest of the world is needed but just five races in Europe, isn't enough. And please Bernie - no more Middle East races!
snorkel sucker said:
I can't see why Bernie's comments should come as a suprise to anyone. His sole aim is to make as much money as he can.
By suggesting that those races in Europe are in jeapordy, he sparks serious interest from those wannabe F1 hosts, who see an opening in the calendar. He also makes those already on the calendar sit up and take notice, realising (he should really just issue a monthly memo to them all really..) that they are not invincible.
The upshot? Better scope for negotiation for Bernie, and potential for higher revenues as a result.
As an F1 fan, no Euro races does gall me, but, when it comes to appreciating Bernie's business brain, I can see why he is doing it.
^^^ This in my opinion. By suggesting that those races in Europe are in jeapordy, he sparks serious interest from those wannabe F1 hosts, who see an opening in the calendar. He also makes those already on the calendar sit up and take notice, realising (he should really just issue a monthly memo to them all really..) that they are not invincible.
The upshot? Better scope for negotiation for Bernie, and potential for higher revenues as a result.
As an F1 fan, no Euro races does gall me, but, when it comes to appreciating Bernie's business brain, I can see why he is doing it.
It wouldn't be the first time he's made threats in order to get some of the old timers to dance to his tune.
I seem to remember being told that F1 at Silverstone was over not so long ago.......
Take away, Monaco, Monza, Spa and Silverstone and I wouldn't bother to watch F1. As far as I am conerned none of the new circuits are a patch on the european originals.
It's about time the teams really got together and laid the law down to Eccleston.No cars and no drivers, no F1 and see how much his business is worth then.
It's about time the teams really got together and laid the law down to Eccleston.No cars and no drivers, no F1 and see how much his business is worth then.
dtrump said:
Wouldn't it be nice if Bernie threw in millions to help make tracks like Donnington super amazing again. He would still have wealth beyond belief, and his family would still be set up for generations. He would go down in history as a human with a heart.
You're making two assumptions there!G0ldfysh said:
meh F1; meh Bernie
Guys pinching his Hublot would have to wait in line to give him a kicking now; it seems.
Long time supporter of F1 but this last couple of years the motoGP has been so much more interesting, watching the riders balance on one wheel as they drop through the corkscrew at Laguna seca showed what F1 is missing for all the DRS, Kers and blown diffuser what nots.
Excitement and the ability to see and marvel at the drivers skill. No question the F1 boys are at the top of their game but it all seems so controlled and manufactured to the arm chair enthusiast Sky is welcome to it all.
Please BBC put your F1 teams knowledge into the motoGP and educate us new starters to the sport in all we have missed.
MotoGP has been well past it's best for the past couple of years, small grids, huge gaps all down the field and generally processional racing. Last good year was 2008. It's a pathetic shadow of it's former self and I can't see the 1000cc bikes making a difference. It's just going to move from Rossi dominating to Stoner dominating. I know a couple of big Moto GP fans who've even said they've seen better racing and closer battles in F1 this last 2 years.Guys pinching his Hublot would have to wait in line to give him a kicking now; it seems.
Long time supporter of F1 but this last couple of years the motoGP has been so much more interesting, watching the riders balance on one wheel as they drop through the corkscrew at Laguna seca showed what F1 is missing for all the DRS, Kers and blown diffuser what nots.
Excitement and the ability to see and marvel at the drivers skill. No question the F1 boys are at the top of their game but it all seems so controlled and manufactured to the arm chair enthusiast Sky is welcome to it all.
Please BBC put your F1 teams knowledge into the motoGP and educate us new starters to the sport in all we have missed.
I think what is easily overlooked is History and Heritage. The reason why fans are so passionate in Italy and dare I say, UK, is because there are decades of history and the passion passed from generation to generation.
There is no reason why you shouldn't give the option to new countries to embrace a sport but regardless of multiculturalism, some countries just do not 'get' F1 like its spiritual home in Europe.
Bernie has made huge success but like 'leaders' of the past and present, absolute power corrupts and he has completely lost perspective of what F1 is, beyond a currency valuation. F1 is in danger of some gloomy, in-fighting years.
There is no reason why you shouldn't give the option to new countries to embrace a sport but regardless of multiculturalism, some countries just do not 'get' F1 like its spiritual home in Europe.
Bernie has made huge success but like 'leaders' of the past and present, absolute power corrupts and he has completely lost perspective of what F1 is, beyond a currency valuation. F1 is in danger of some gloomy, in-fighting years.
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