14-Nov-08: Rumours Surface of Ecclestone’s Split with Wife
Today is the 14th November 2008, and this is F1 Minute.
A number of UK newspapers are reporting that Bernie Ecclestone’s wife Slavica has moved out of the family home, and the possibility seems to be pretty high that a divorce will follow. Apparently Ms Ecclestone moved out whilst Bernie was at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Whilst what happens in Bernie’s personal life isn’t really any of our business, this could be the UK’s most expensive divorce and it may even affect the ownership of Formula 1.
The Telegraph is reporting that Bernie says his wife moved out due to the noise of building works next door, and he doesn’t know if divorce is on her mind or not. Slavica won’t comment on rumours that she has already spoken to lawyers.
Elsewhere today, there is talk that organisers of the Chinese Grand Prix are considering not extending their contract post 2010, as ticket sales have been poor, sponsors may be pulling out, and of course, costs are only ever going to go up.
That’s it for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
07-Oct-08: Canadian Grand Prix Dropped from ‘09 Calendar
It’s the 7th October 2008, and you’re listening to F1 Minute.
The shock news of the day is that the FIA have confirmed the calendar for 2009, and have dropped the Canadian Grand Prix. Teams have got back the summer break that they were looking for, but we will no longer be heading to North American shores. Both the Belgian and Italian races have been shuffled by a week as well. Back to the Canadian GP, though, and organisers say that they weren’t informed of this decision ahead of time. They released a short statement that said they had only learnt of it through the media, and would therefore not be commenting until they’d spoken to the FIA and FOM. Needless to say they’re not happy.
Elsewhere today, Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali has confirmed that they will be going back to the old lollipop pit system at this week’s Japanese Grand Prix. After many, many pit lane incidents in the last few races, Domenicali says: “We need to stay calm so we’ve decided to go back to the old system.”
That’s it for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
29-Jul-08: F1 Teams Come Together to Work on Concorde Agreement
It’s the 29th July 2008, and this is F1 Minute.
Representatives of each of the F1 teams, plus Bernie Ecclestone and a colleague from CVC got together in Italy today to discuss the future of the sport. The meeting took place at the Ferrari headquarters in Maranello, and a spokesperson for Ferrari called it “extremely productive.” The most notable outcome for now, is that the teams are going to set up a new group called the Formula One Teams Association to try and sort out the Concorde Agreement with the FIA and FOM. Let’s hope they can achieve something.
The teams agreed on this new group unanimously, which should please Flavio Briatore as he has been reported as saying that things in F1 really need to change. His list of complaints include the fact that they need to have a majority rule, they need a single Director of Operations to represent all the teams, and he would like to see Max Mosley concentrating on his job instead of his personal life. Wouldn’t we all?
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
21-May-08: McLaren Regain Fifth Garage Position
It’s the 21st May and this is F1 Minute.
McLaren have been moved back up the pitlane in Monaco, regaining the fifth spot amongst the garages that they had at the start of the season. Before the Bahrain Grand Prix, McLaren were pushed down to the last garage, but said it was not a disadvantage and was maybe even a good thing. However, now, and the reason has not yet been disclosed, they are once again in the fifth garage.
Max Mosley has stirred up emotions with a letter to automobile clubs, warning them that if he is ousted from the presidency next week, the FIA may risk losing control of F1 to commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone and FOM. In turn, Bernie has replied and said it sounds a little bit like a threat of war, and if it is so, he is completely prepared to stand his ground.
Elsewhere today, Jenson Button has ordered two planes from Honda in the hopes of setting up an aviation charter business. The light business jets apparently cost over $7 million and will be delivered in 2012.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
05-May-08: Super Aguri Barred From Istanbul Circuit
Hi everyone, this is F1 Minute for the 5th May 2008.
Super Aguri’s transporters turned up at the Istanbul circuit yesterday in preparation for this weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix, but they were denied access. The trucks and motorhome were not allowed into the paddock, and Aguri Suzuki has said he doesn’t know why this is. Formula One Management were told the team wouldn’t be racing and so have been barred from the track. It looks like Honda were the ones to inform FOM of this, although it hasn’t been confirmed.
Honda chiefs are due to meet with the Weigl group tomorrow, and therefore Super Aguri have been left confused as to why they have been denied access when no decisions have been made.
Takuma Sato has written a piece on his website, asking Honda to reconsider their actions, as he desperately wants to race. He believes the team can still be competitive, and that the deal with Weigl is an attractive proposition.
CEO of Honda Nick Fry, however, has said that it’s unlikely the Weigl group could support the needs of an F1 team, and is approaching the deal with some scepticism. Hopefully we will find out more after the meeting.
That’s all for today, join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.