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Dear Bernie Ecclestone,
Formula One is not just a sport for me; it is my morning breakfast and my evening prayer. The sport is my passion and I have been following Formula 1 since I could understand what television was.
I applauded when Michael Schumacher took home his third world title and I shredded tears, when Mika Hakkinen’s engine failed him on the last lap. I enjoyed every bit of the 2003 title challenge between Juan Pablo Montoya, Kimi Raikkonen and Schumacher, and then I understood it was Fernando’s time to arrive at the scene.
Then it was Lewis and Jenson’s turn to thrill everyone, and finally in Sebastian, we once again celebrated a worthy multiple world champion. In the past fourteen years, I have seen magic, every other Sunday, unfold right in front of my eyes.
I did not fall in love of Formula 1, I rose because of it. However, this love and magic is fading away, not because there is no thrill or worthiness on the racing grid. It is because of some issues which has engulfed my sport, it is because of some decisions you and your counterparts have made in the past few years.
The agreement to change engine specifications and add energy recovery systems in the cars, have bolted huge bills for non-engine backed teams. Bernie, I know you were also a team boss once in the early seventies. It was you, in late seventies, who made sure we had proper Formula 1 racing every other weekend.
You knew how difficult it was, back then to run your cars on the grid and you know it very well how difficult it is, for some teams to run the show now. Imagine the situation of a team boss, I know the financial climate isn’t the brightest at the moment, but surviving is in our instincts too, isn’t it?
With the sad demise of the Marussia Racing Team and with the possible exit of Caterham F1 team too, Formula 1’s grid is shrinking. I don’t want another US Grand Prix where, for any reason, only few cars race against each other.
I know the proposed cost cap did not arrive, nor did the RRA (Resource Restriction Agreement) fundamentally work. With teams like Lotus F1, Sauber F1 and Force India looking for a remedy to the current crunch financial situation, it is only wise to act in favor of them.
Formula 1 is made from these teams; they are the blood line of the great sport. We all know the history of these teams, doesn’t matter they have changed hands or owners changed their names, but their heritage is what they stand for.
Rather than making statements of “I cannot help you or we can easily put a third car from rich teams”, I would like you to comfort these teams. I would like you to influence your “friends” and your partners that, the “pie” has to be eaten by everyone with a certain logical share. By pie, I am metaphorically talking about the revenue share.
I understand top teams have an agenda, and no one is stopping a small or a midfield team to be a top team. However, as you know, resources at dispense for some teams are very much accountable for, they can’t spend and afford to lose million of dollars for no returns.
It is a difficult time to be a team owner in Formula 1 and you are well aware of the problem the market is facing. The problem was attested again when Marrussia, which was up for sale, wasn’t taken over by anyone or any company. The staff were let go and their fans were left disappointed.
Imagine how Jules Bianchi will feel when, hopefully he will open his eyes once again. I understand when you say words like “treat the team as a business, not as a hobby”, but then where will the passion arise from.
We don’t want corporate blue chip teams; we want teams and personnel with soul and passion. I am sure top teams can make three cars for a season, in fact they can more than that, but that isn’t the point.
You have been instrumental in saving F1 from various difficult positions, be it from boring racing to the driver safety concerns or the issues with the Concorde agreement. I know some of your plans may seem irrational and unfounded at start, but at the end of the day they look justified nevertheless.
Citing the example of double points allocation in Abu Dhabi this year fits well, this has made sure we still a have championship battle at the final round. I am well aware of your determination to think about the sport which, you and I equally love. It was because of you and your perseverance, that Formula 1 has become one of the most viewed sporting events in the world.
Hence, I am urging you to seriously look into the concerns of the so called midfield teams. The concerned teams are demanding cost cuts or an equitable share of the sport’s profits. These measures, if applied, can promote their survival, or at least make the teams content as they believe it will.
CVC Capitals, the majority shareholders of F1’s commercial rights, and FOM can work hand in hand to come up with a resolution. This should be in favor of the amelioration of the midfield teams and the sport as whole.
I am not sure about your yearning to see customer cars might be a viable solution to the crisis, at least in the near future. However, by next year or so, coming up with a remedy shall be much appreciated by us racing loving fans of Formula 1. Besides, we all want see Lotus to take another race win or Sauber to fight for podiums again and a Force India to challenge a Ferrari at Spa Francorchamps.
I have faith in your good judgment, because most of the times you have been right. However, being right about most things doesn’t always indicate that you weren’t wrong about some. Please try and understand that, not only a couple of teams are in crisis, but one-third of the remaining F1 teams are.
It is my earnest request to you to please make sure that we have a strong field of 18 cars with nine teams next year and if possible, a super 20 car grid with ten teams. I know this is a request just not from me, but from all the well-wishers, fans, and the of course the people associated with Formula 1. Here’s to your and Formula 1’s good health.
Regards,
A concerned Formula 1 fan
