Australia should stay on the Formula One calendar, despite what Bernie Ecclestone is quoted as saying tonight. Reportedly, the F1 supremo is saying the organisers need to install floodlights to push the race into European prime time. He’s wrong. As entertaining and spectacular as Singapore and particularly Abu Dhabi are, the race in Melbourne Park… [Read more…]
August 3, 2011
Comments today by Williams chairman Adam Parr about cost cutting in Formula One and the new TV deal in the UK have brought the issue back to the front of my mind. As has been extensively documented, Bernie Ecclestone has secured a six season deal, from 2012, for the BBC and Sky to share live… [Read more…]
July 29, 2011
Today’s news about the split coverage of Formula One between the BBC and Sky has sparked predictable outrage from devoted fans of the sport. And it’s not hard to see why. In the BBC’s desperation to save costs but also to save face, the door has been opened for Bernie Ecclestone to do a deal… [Read more…]
June 7, 2011
Formula One’s hand wringing over whether to race in Bahrain in 2011 is moving from frustrating and disappointing to the downright farcical. After spending months talking up the prospects of rescheduling the race, talking about how the people running Bahrain are “all nice people”, Bernie Ecclestone has (£) today told the The Times he is… [Read more…]
March 24, 2011
Investigative journalist Tom Bower was given unprecedented access to Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone to lift the lid on an extraordinary life. The book is at times baffling. Bower describes Ecclestone’s various deals both at pace and in detail and it can be difficult to follow. At times this is down to the writing –… [Read more…]
March 3, 2011
The Bahrain Grand Prix will not be held in the summer break but could be slotted in at end of the season, between Abu Dhabi and Brazil, Bernie Ecclestone has said today. Ecclestone is insisting if the Middle Eastern nation is peaceful, he will “find a way” to fit the race in. This could mean… [Read more…]
March 2, 2011
Something close to serious discussion about the merits or otherwise of creating artificial “rain” to spice up Formula One races. It was started by Bernie Ecclestone throwing the notion into an interview – a joke you would hope – but Pirelli seem to have actively endorsed it. Where to begin? It’s dumb on a number… [Read more…]
February 20, 2011
Bernie Ecclestone has told BBC Sport the decision on whether the Bahrain Grand Prix goes ahead will be left to the Crown Prince. Ecclestone reportedly said: “[Crown Prince Salman ibn Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa] will know whether it’s safe for us to be there. I’ve no idea. I’m not there, so I don’t know. “We won’t… [Read more…]
February 17, 2011
Speculation is growing fast that the first Grand Prix of the 2011 season in Bahrain may have to be called off because of political unrest. Tonight, tanks are on the streets of the capital and reports suggest anywhere between five and 11 people have been killed after live ammunition was fired at demonstrators. The GP2… [Read more…]
September 25, 2010
The circus has begun under the bright lights of Singapore and Formula One is looking stunning. We’ll just have to hope the race weekend matches up. With unpredictable weather the prospects are looking good but it could take a phenomenal performance from somebody to liven up the show. The Red Bull cars have looked very… [Read more…]
May 25, 2010
Formula One is to go on a new USA adventure after Bernie Ecclestone has reached a deal to take the sport to Austin, Texas, from 2012. There is to be a purpose-built circuit in the state with a deal running until 2021. Bernie said: “For the first time in the history of Formula One in… [Read more…]
March 14, 2010
With just a few hours till lights out in Bahrain, a few bits and pieces overnight – most significantly Ferrari are changing the engine in Felipe Massa’s car. The team said on its Twitter page @InsideFerrari: “Not the best start of the day. We are going to replace Felipe’s engine but just for precaution. The… [Read more…]
March 1, 2012
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