Alonso to Ecclestone: Listen to us!

[Jungles]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73905

Fernando Alonso has been climbing up on my ladder of esteem in the past year. In 2007 he was a arse. But since leaving McLaren, he seems to have grown... a lot.

It's nice to see someone in his position strike out against the most powerful man in F1.

[stifler]

Yep just gone up a few notches. well done for speaking out on behalf of us, the fans.

[Eric Mc]

Can only agree with him 100%

[ajprice]

Well said that man, good to see people stand against the FIA.

[Altrezia]

Totally agree with you Stifler - he's said what we're all wanting someone to say; and for that, thanks!

[Asterix]

Very wise words actually - especially the last bit.

[patmahe]

Good to see the teams an drivers growing some balls and speaking up against the powers that be. Ecclestone and Max need to be reminded if these guys don't go racing, the money machine stops. They are the ones with the real power.

[Fire99]

Damn it. I just gave Alonso a mini slating on another thread.

Wise words and i totally agree with him.
OK Alonso is now back on the reserve list for my Christmas cards again. I'm sure he'll be very pleased.

[DrTre]

At last. I can but (vainly) hope that this starts an avalanche of drivers and teams realising, and vocalising, that the public is behind them and not Tweedle dum and Tweedle dee.

For instance, if it comes to it and the new points system is implemented, FOTA should just announce they're ignoring it and using their own scoring system and the tactics that go along with it. If all participants in an activity rebel en masse then there is sweet FA (no pun intended) the authorities can do about it, providing it's done within the regulations. Hold a second ceremony after each race, disseminate the championship standings on the net, it's all available now.

It's remarkably simple to mock and undermine from within when you realise and have faith that you and the public have no respect for the authorities and they are powerless to do anything about it.

Long gone are the days of team owners not wanting to get involved in the commercial aspect of F1 and just get on with the racing. I daresay each and every team has at least one member that could do BEs job, with the interests of F1 at their heart.

As for MM, a high functioning moron could do his job...it'd be a like for like straight swap actually.

FOTA, all the cards lie with you, bring the FIA and BE into line on your terms. Make them work for you, that's the natural order of all of this (providing the teams remain united under FOTA)

[Asterix]

Just look at Autosports headers over the last week DrTre

It's mostly drivers and team principals slating the new points system and all in harmony.

Good!

[DrTre]

Asterix said:

Just look at Autosports headers over the last week DrTre

It's mostly drivers and team principals slating the new points system and all in harmony.

Good!

Yep, you're right. I'd just like to see a bit more action than words to keep up the momentum.

BE blaming the teams for leaving America, what utter bullst. They're grasping at straws now.

There's a revolution in the air! I can smell it!

it's that or my feet

Edited by DrTre on Thursday 26th March 10:34

[flemke]

DrTre said:

BE blaming the teams for leaving America, what utter bullst. They're grasping at straws now.

He's done that? Seriously?

[DrTre]

flemke said:

DrTre said:

BE blaming the teams for leaving America, what utter bullst. They're grasping at straws now.

He's done that? Seriously?

Yup. Hang on.

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2009/03/24/f1-links-ecc...

""Teams To Blame" For North America Absence

Bernie Ecclestone: "The teams wanted too much money to race there. That was the problem.""

Edited by DrTre on Thursday 26th March 10:52

[Rollcage]

DrTre said:

Asterix said:

Just look at Autosports headers over the last week DrTre

It's mostly drivers and team principals slating the new points system and all in harmony.

Good!

Yep, you're right. I'd just like to see a bit more action than words to keep up the momentum.

BE blaming the teams for leaving America, what utter bullst. They're grasping at straws now.

There's a revolution in the air! I can smell it!

it's that or my feet

Edited by DrTre on Thursday 26th March 10:34

Indeed!Anyone else get the sense that the winds of change are starting to blow a bit harder?Seems that after Spanky's exploits last year and in the current commercial climate that the more teams and drivers are not willing to roll over any more!

[flemke]

DrTre said:

flemke said:

DrTre said:

BE blaming the teams for leaving America, what utter bullst. They're grasping at straws now.

He's done that? Seriously?

Yup. Hang on.

Even though Tony George said time and again that the problem was that he couldn't get an event sponsor, and he needed one to pay for the fee to Bernie? Okay. Yes, that was definitely the teams' fault.

[DrTre]

flemke said:

DrTre said:

flemke said:

DrTre said:

BE blaming the teams for leaving America, what utter bullst. They're grasping at straws now.

He's done that? Seriously?

Yup. Hang on.

Even though Tony George said time and again that the problem was that he couldn't get an event sponsor, and he needed one to pay for the fee to Bernie? Okay. Yes, that was definitely the teams' fault.

See above, BE said the teams wanted too much money to race...oh!! of course Bernie!! They've always dictated how much they get paid haven't they?

[Asterix]

DrTre said:

Asterix said:

Just look at Autosports headers over the last week DrTre

It's mostly drivers and team principals slating the new points system and all in harmony.

Good!

Yep, you're right. I'd just like to see a bit more action than words to keep up the momentum.

BE blaming the teams for leaving America, what utter bullst. They're grasping at straws now.

There's a revolution in the air! I can smell it!

it's that or my feet

Edited by DrTre on Thursday 26th March 10:34

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=37313

New? I think?

Very together.

[Derek Smith]

Asterix said:

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.p...

New? I think?

Very together.

The FOTA press release reads:

FOTA wish to clarify the situation regarding remarks that have been widely reported in the last few days concerning a meeting between members of FOTA and the Commercial Rights Holder.

The meeting, which took place in London on March 18th, involved John Howett, the Vice Chairman of FOTA, Flavio Briatore in his capacity as chairman of the Commercial Working Group of FOTA and Ron Dennis as a member of the Executive Committee of FOTA as well as Bernie Ecclestone, the Commercial Rights Holder. The FOTA representatives presented the unified views of all FOTA members.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss payment of money owed by CVC (the effective owners of the commercial rights to Formula One) to the teams and relates to agreed sums owing from the 2006, 2007 and 2008 championship years.

FOTA are committed to accelerate the signing of the new Concorde Agreement and, as part of the conditions necessary to obtain the signatures of all the teams, it was necessary to reach a conclusion to this outstanding matter.

During the discussions, any position stated by the members of FOTA who were present was supported by all members.

So much for Eccs' loaded gun at the head of Briatore. This can be viewed as a different interpretation on the events as seen by FOTA or, more likely, FOTA saying Bernie speaks with forked tongue. Can't help thiking that both sides have raised their standards. Will Australia be the site of the new Edge Hill?

[DSM2]

Jungles said:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73905

Fernando Alonso has been climbing up on my ladder of esteem in the past year. In 2007 he was a arse. But since leaving McLaren, he seems to have grown... a lot.

It's nice to see someone in his position strike out against the most powerful man in F1.

I don't think he's changed at all, just your perception of him.

[mattikake]

Well done Fernando. Nice to see him getting back to form as an open-eyed driver. Maybe we can finally drop the the 'Spantard' nickname and get back to calling him Fernandoooooo!