Essential Reading for January 19th, 2009

Recommended links for January 19th, 2009:

• F1 teams warned to expect revenue cut – Bernie Ecclestone has warned Formula One car racing teams to expect a reduced share of revenues from their glamour sport as it faces the toughest financial climate in its history.

  Luca di Montezemolo, president of Ferrari and the F1 teams’ association, last month suggested teams should now receive a greater share of the profits.

  But Mr Ecclestone retorted: “They could ask for more money but they won’t get it.”

• A grip on controls could be what F1 needs – Bernie Ecclestone, an implacable 78-year-old with Andy Warhol-style grey hair and round glasses – and the man who runs Formula One motor racing – is as bullish and relaxed as ever.

  “It’s bad for me to say this, but the only team we would really say we would miss is Ferrari. I wouldn’t want to lose McLaren for sure. I wouldn’t want to lose Williams,” he says, but the strength of the Ferrari brand, in particular, is central to the health of F1.

• Briatore committed to F1 for long-term – Flavio Briatore has dismissed suggestions that he will leave Formula One within the next two seasons.

  "The plan is, I don't know really. I never said that to the Italian newspaper"

• Fernando Alonso approves of Formula One rule changes – "All the results from the wind tunnel, the engine… the results are better than we predicted."

  "I'm much happier this year compared with last. I think the rule changes are a big opportunity. This year everyone starts from zero."