Formula 1's "smaller teams want to meet" CEO Bernie Ecclestone at this
weekend's Abu Dhabi GP to "discuss how the sport's revenues are
distributed," according to the BBC. A letter, sent on behalf of Sauber, Lotus and Force India, was sent to Ecclestone "outlining their concerns." It requested "a more equitable distribution" of F1's revenues to ensure "a sustainable future." Copies of the letter, which was sent on Monday and "leaked to the media," were sent to rights holder CVC, FIA President Jean
Todt and all the team principals. Force India Team Principal Vijay Mallya said that Ecclestone "agreed he would
discuss the situation" with CVC co-Chair Donald Mackenzie in London.
Force India Deputy Team Principal Bob Fernley said that the letter "should be seen in that context, but added that there was no intention of
overshadowing the title deciding race, which will see Lewis Hamilton or
Nico Rosberg crowned world champion." The letter added that the smaller teams were "concerned that there
were plans for a two-tier sport, which would be split between
constructors and those using a 'customer' chassis." The letter said, "A two-tier system can only be considered a
short-sighted vision. It is evident that the current
developments are dramatically reducing the value of Formula 1 and
massively undermining its reputation as a sport." It "also raised concerns" about a "questionable cartel"
of the rights holder, Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren and Williams,
who controlled "both the governance of Formula 1 and, apparently, the
distribution of...funds" (BBC, 11/18).
