Threat to Grand Prix circuit from breakaway F1 championship
SINGAPORE – Tourism authorities in Singapore, Malaysia and Australia will be among those waiting for clarification of plans for a new breakaway Formula One motor racing circuit.
The BBC reports today that Formula One has been thrown into chaos after the Formula One Teams Association (Fota) carried out its threat to set up a rival championship in 2010.
The F1 Grand Prix races in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne attract millions of tourist dollars and are trophy events for each destination.
Singapore – which stages the only F1 night race – has a contract to stage the race for five years with an option to extend until 2017. This year’s race will take place on September 27.
The 2009 season will finish with the inaugural F1 race in Abu Dhabi on November 1.
A Singapore Tourism Board survey conducted during the race week last year showed that race visitors stayed an average of five to six days, higher than the average four days for general travellers.
An F1 tourist’s spending on shopping was also double that of an average visitor, and three times more when spending on food and beverage.
Details are yet to emerge on how any breakaway championship might work, and where organisers would seek to stage races.
The BBC said eight of F1’s major teams have been frustrated by deadlocked talks with world motorsport boss Max Mosley over his controversial budget cap proposals.
“The teams have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 F1 Championship,” said the teams.
“We’ve no alternative than to commence preparation for a new championship.”
Mosley was insistent on introducing a voluntary £40m budget cap for teams to curtail a “financial arms race” in F1.
But Fota refused to agree to his conditions, prompting championship leader Brawn GP, Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso to take their drastic action.
Fota said its championship would put F1 fans first and boast the best drivers and sponsors.
“This series will have transparent governance, one set of regulations, encourage more entrants and listen to the wishes of the fans, including offering lower prices for spectators worldwide, partners and other important stakeholders,” added the statement.
“The major drivers, stars, brands, sponsors, promoters and companies historically associated with the highest level of motorsport will all feature in this new series.”
The BBC said the stage is set for a legal battle.
Ian Jarrett
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