Germany's Auto Motor und Sport revealed that Formula 1 teams are "being offered shares in the sport but not voting rights," according to GMM. New owner Liberty Media is "keen" for the teams to take 20% ($800M) of the commercial rights, "with the end of January as a deadline for their decision." Auto Motor und Sport's Michael Schmidt wrote Liberty has "good reasons" to invite the teams. Shareholders will "not leave overnight." But the deal "has a catch: Although the teams will benefit from the earnings and will get a seat on the board, they will not vote." When it comes to new strategies, regulations, marketing campaigns, the distribution of money or the appointment of the CEO, "Liberty will not include the teams." Also uncertain about F1's future is the "ongoing involvement" of F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone. Former F1 driver Jackie Stewart told Swiss newspaper Sonntagsblick that "he is one of a kind." Stewart said, "No man has ever made as much money, for himself and for everyone else." With the 86-year-old's future "uncertain for the new era," Stewart said that Liberty "needs to find a solution that makes up for his eventual loss" (GMM, 12/28).
