Liberty Media revealed "plans to double staff numbers" at Formula 1 HQ from 75 to 150 "in a bid to boost revenues." It could cost F1's 10 teams as much as $6.5M "as their prize money is equivalent to 63% of the profits of the series so the greater its costs, the lower the profits and the less there is to pay to participants." The latest financial statements for F1's parent company, Delta Topco, show that in the year ending Dec. 31, 2015, the teams received $903.8M in prize money (FORBES, 5/11).
Renault, which has a British-based F1 team and engine factory in France, has "no plan to remove resources or staff as a result of Brexit," according to Renault Sport Managing Dir Cyril Abiteboul. He said that "British-based teams with sponsorship contracts in dollars had seen an immediate benefit due to the weaker pound" (REUTERS, 5/13).
The early-season cricket matches between counties and universities "may lose first-class status following increasing pressure" on the England & Wales Cricket Board from a number of county chairs. At a meeting of county execs, the "issue of the status of these matches was raised" and reportedly there was "general, although not unanimous, agreement" that the matches against universities "should not count as first-class" (LONDON TIMES 5/13).
The removal of sea turtles from Bermuda's waters ahead of the upcoming America's Cup raises serious "ethical dilemmas," the country's leading environmental groups said. In preparation for a period of intense "marine traffic," caused by the arrival of a fleet of 50-foot catamarans for the upcoming America's Cup, various local authorities are "temporarily relocating the growing number of sea turtles that inhabit Bermuda's near-shore waters" (London TELEGRAPH, 5/12).
