Formula 1 in turmoil

As a break from normal politics, I'll take a look at the other great love of mine - Formula 1. Which just happens to be mired in politics at the moment!

Formula 1 is caught between two bodies which think they have the best interests of the sport going forward. In the red corner sits the FIA, the governing body of international motorsport, intent on producing a reduced cost formula of £40 million per team. In the blue corner resides FOTA, the association of formula 1 teams, intent on reducing the cost of teams to enter formula 1.

The positions of the two bodies seem to be nearly identical, so why the fuss?

I believe that it is based on history.

Max Mosley has been president of the FIA for a long long time. In that time he has improved safety massively, especially since the death of Ayrton Senna. But he has also been very adamant in pushing through changes to the sport. One has to think of these changes; re-fuelling, banning active suspension, banning traction control, narrow-track cars, grooved tyres, un-banning traction control, standard engine control units, banning mass dampers, banning traction control again, slick tyres again, new aero-dynamics and KERS. The next changes include banning re-fuelling again. When he has not been able to get his changes through, because technical changes need unanimous support, he has pushed changes through as safety improvements which do not.

Also in that time, many independent teams have become backed by manufacturers, some independents have gone and new manufacturers have come in. They did so because it has been tremendously successful at advertising manufacturer's technical prowess, but they did bring large amounts of money.

With the benefit of hindsight, an autocratic leader who changes regulations regularly causing more to be spent in development whilst the changes themselves make the cars less technological, it looks obvious that we were going to get to this point.

In the current climate, with some teams turning their backs on F1 due to the cost and threatening the strength of the grid it does look like costs need to be reduced. Both organizations want reductions, the manufacturers in a step by step approach, the FIA in a dramatic single step. I can understand why Ferrari, for example, do not want to jump from £200M to £40M in one step, there will be many redundancies.

So, swords have been drawn. In the wrangling, Max Mosley has continued a trend from Gordon Brown. He creates dividing lines, and uses the divide and conquer technique to try to split the FOTA teams. This causes more animosity. Normally it works, but I don't think so this time.

FOTA have become intransigent, and wants to be listened to rather than brushed aside. After all, they are the ones spending money on this exercise. They are sick of being pushed around and being ignored. As an example, FOTA ran a survey of F1 fans and asked them what they thought of various aspects - I know because I took part. One conclusion that came out of it was that there should be a greater points difference between 1st and 2nd place. At the beginning of the season, the FIA tried to push through another system of medals. The World Champion is the one who won most races. The FIA ignored the fan's survey as well as the teams. At present, this crazy system is on the regulations for next year even though Jenson Button would win this year's championship earlier than he will at present. It set the tone for the year.

Multiple suggestions have been ignored, although on the basis of the cost cap there has been some compromise. Even then though there has not been agreement. Press briefing accuses the other side, highlighting the differences.

So, where do we go from here?

This is not about the cost cap any more. It is about Max Mosley. FOTA want him out and he is refusing to go. This is a billion pound game of chicken. Both sides are now so polarised that I don't believe compromise can now be achieved. The likelihood of a breakaway series is now 70% (in my mind), followed by Max Mosley being ousted as FIA president. Maybe there will then be a meeting of minds.

Otherwise we could have an F1 championship, run to £40M with small independent teams and a GP1 championship with the manufacturers including Ferrari, McLaren etc. with the existing drivers. I know which one I would watch. Actually, I love it so much I'd probably watch both.

I'll be in Silverstone this weekend to hopefully watch Jenson Button take a famous victory. The deadline for FOTA backing down is Friday, but don't hold your breath.

Squiffy.