Menu
Leagues and Governing Bodies

F1 Refueling Proposals Likely To Be Dropped As Teams Reveal Concerns Over Costs

Proposals to reintroduce refueling into F1 are "likely to be dropped because of a lack of support," according to Andrew Benson of the BBC. The idea to bring back refueling, which was last used in '09, came out of a rule-making strategy group meeting of leading teams and officials. But further talks this week have revealed "major opposition, with teams concerned about the costs." F1 is "pressing ahead with other changes" planned for '17 to speed up the cars. Mercedes Exec Dir Toto Wolff said, "It is going to be back to the quickest cars on the planet with the most efficient energy usage, with wider tires, with driver aids removed, with driver-controlled starts back again. There is so much good stuff happening." None of the teams are "in favour of refuelling, which was banned on grounds of cost, safety and because it reduced the amount of on-track overtaking" (BBC, 5/23). REUTERS' Alan Baldwin reported F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has said that he would be "willing to act as a go-between and provide manufacturer-built cars to smaller teams at a fixed price if the rules are changed to allow it." He said that F1 was "effectively a two-tier championship already with big budget manufacturer teams and struggling privately-owned ones." Ecclestone: "You make all the chassis the same and we do a deal with one of the engine suppliers. It should work. We'll supply two chassis complete by the first of January for $15 million. We'll pay. If it costs more we have to pay more, if it's less that's good for us." The "controversial comments" are "unlikely to be welcomed by smaller teams, most of whom have been resolutely opposed to any moves to allow big teams like Ferrari, McLaren or Mercedes to provide cars to others" (REUTERS, 5/22).

GRID GIRLS DITCHED: NEW.COM.AU's James Matthey wrote the "trackside glamour of beautiful women mingling with fans and participants alike could be a thing of the past if Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix is any guide." F1 "broke the mould" by replacing "grid girls" with "grid guys" for the "showpiece event on the French Riviera." Twitter "exploded as a result of the decision." While some applauded the step, "others, including Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, lamented the lack of girls on the grid" (NEWS.COM.AU, 5/25).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2015/05/26/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Refueling.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2015/05/26/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Refueling.aspx

CLOSE