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Minardi: Monza is Formula One!

NEWS STORY
04/04/2015

Former team owner Gian Carlo Minardi fears that Monza could follow Germany and be lost from the F1 calendar.

Already dropped from the 2015 schedule, there are serious fears that Germany will not return in 2016, even though Hockenheim has a contract. Indeed, speaking over the Malaysia weekend, Bernie Ecclestone warned that the sport in Europe faces a worrying future.

Fact is, whilst the new, rising economies have the cash to build ever more exciting facilities - even though the ability to actually race on them appears to be an afterthought - pay the ever increasing fees and meet the demands of the sport's powers-that-be, the tracks, mainly in Europe, that were the bedrock of the sport can no longer keep pace.

Forced into updating the facilities, often at the expense of emasculating the original nature and challenge of the tracks, and paying the hosting fees, promoters are finding it impossible to break even, far less make a profit. And whilst the governments of the new economies will gladly provide the money in order that their countries can become part of the F1 dream, cash-strapped nations in Europe cannot justify giving resources to sport, certainly one as elitist, and cash hungry as F1.

Earlier this week, the operators of the legendary Monza circuit revealed their strategy to retain the Italian Grand Prix, a strategy that relies on a grant from the region (Lombardy) in which the circuit is located. However, whilst the region is willing to provide some cash, a large proportion of it would immediately be swallowed up in taxes.

Gian Carlo Minardi is worried.

"We are talking about circuits that are part of a nation at the height of motor racing, not only sportingly speaking," he said, referring not only to Italy, but Germany and no doubt France, already long lost to the sport. "They will not have a Grand Prix. This should make us think.

"So far, Monza has enjoyed privileged treatment compared to the average European and non-European countries," he admitted. However, the fact is under the current contracts the only source of income for the event organizer comes from ticket sales. "Royalties and logistics depend on FOA (Formula One Administration)," he says, warning that for the organisers there is "too little to survive and cover all costs."

"In the seven to ten days a Formula One Grand Prix is in town, there is a turnover amounting to $100m - $120m reaching hundreds of millions of people per event, through television and newspapers around the world," he continues. "Numbers that only the Olympics and various World Championships can reach... but every four years.

"Formula 1 represents a real economic benefit for state assets," he adds. "Precisely for this reason, Formula 1 must be treated as the World Swimming Championships, the Olympics or World Football Championships, events in which not only the Sports Federation but also the Government can intervene.

"Do not forget that Italy has the Number One cultural heritage in the world, which is envied by all. Therefore, we should use Formula 1 as a magnet to attract tourists, studying holiday packages, Pre and Post-GPs, with worldwide tour operators. Besides, we are talking about a city which is easily accessible by plane and high-speed trains."

Looking to 'newcomers' to the calendar such as Abu Dhabi, Singapore and Russia, he said: "They bet on Formula 1 to grow tourism, commercial and industrial sectors. Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur were the first among the new entries in recent years. Petronas itself has taken advantage of Motorsport’s image to become a global giant. The same holds true for cities like Imola or, going back several years, Adelaide. Before F1, who knew them?"

Warning that were more races to be lost this would also impact jobs, the Italian concluded: "This is the reason why I want to wish the President of Milan Automobile Club, Ivan Capelli, good luck for the start of negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone and our ACI President Sticchi Damiani, who cares about the existence of Italian Grand Prix and Monza’s safeguard. He will make every effort to find the right funds and agreements.

"Monza, along with Silverstone and Monte Carlo, is Formula 1."

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READERS COMMENTS

 

1. Posted by Athena, 09/04/2015 5:38

"The F1 is walking down a very dangerous, nearsighted path. In order for him to make more money (as if he needs it!), Bernie is essentially robbing th sport of everything that made it exciting and unique. He's taken away the excitement of the sport, now he wants to take away the history of it. Imola is already out, Spa is struggling, France is gone, Germany is gone... Does he think that money pouring in from the Far East or oil magnates is everything? the roots of the sport are in Europe. As someone posted before, if you cut the roots, the tree dies. It's the people in Europe that have nurtured F1 since its birth. Taking away historical circuits essentially dismembers the sport and soon there will be nothing left."

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2. Posted by The stogie, 09/04/2015 1:03

"Sadly it appears that Bernie would much rather get paid in camel dung than in euros. The sport started in Europe and if nobody does anything SOON it will die in Europe."

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3. Posted by ffracer, 07/04/2015 23:10

"Here's a tidbit on one of F1's issues (I've called a curse since 1989), the auto gearbox:

In Mauro Forghieri's new book, 'Forghieri on Ferrari', he goes on about Gilles Villeneuve testing a semi-automatic gearbox, fitted in a 1980 312 T5, which was potentially slated for use, together with the twin turbo V6, for the upcoming 1981 season. Gilles was asked to do 100 fast laps around Fiorano (300km) which he did with consistent optimum times, and without difficulty. In short, Gilles told Mauro thanks but that he wished to stick with his gearshift because he felt safer lol... Enzo Ferrari then spoke with Forghieri and said, "He even told me that he would stop racing if we adopted the automatic gearbox! Because driving is a pleasure to him and he can't accept automation that doesn't let him show his talent!"

In hindsight, Forghieri was pissed - he had a point as an engineer - because the rules allowed for it and he even contemplated allowing Pironi to utilize the semi-auto gearbox and Gilles to enjoy his 'traditional car'... but Gilles convinced Ferrari and the project was cancelled. In truth, Gilles saw the greater evil and this is my point. Gilles rarely missed shifts and was amazing on the starts, rocketing from the third row and grabbing the lead on a few occasions, because he was able to maximize on his startline genius and sans the semi-auto gearbox, electronics or traction control! Had everyone been equipped with the semi-auto gearbox, there would have been less mistakes and, regrettably, no amazing Gilles starts... "

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4. Posted by ffracer, 07/04/2015 22:13

"Totally agree, Daydah and PaulC. F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport but if technology takes away from the sport - most couldn't care less for DRS, KERS, other gizmos , teams find its all too costly for them anyway- then cut it please! I know F1 will never go back to the gearshifter but now, I believe, we have swung too far the other way. Limit teams to three styles of bodywork, inclusive of wings and the number of vanes, for the year, FOM to compensate engine builders after banning KERS and DRS, up engine / gearbox count, ban wind tunnels for 10 months of the year and open up for more test days. They are vital for drivers, both rookies and veterans, and it would help draw further revenue to tracks and respective regions."

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5. Posted by deuteros, 06/04/2015 17:02

"Pitpass removed a colorful comment by Rober05 against Italy and Italians related to the Monza issue. Too bad, I would have liked to answer him with courtesy and wit. Nex time...."

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6. Posted by Stitch431, 06/04/2015 10:23

"With F1 it is like with any human being. If you take away the roots, you take away the identity, the heart and soul. If you do that the "patient" will soon die. No doubt about that. Consequently a question keeps popping up: Is Bernie trying to take F1 with him into his grave? And another: Doesn't CVC Capital see that because of this they are about to lose big time on their investment?"

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7. Posted by Paul C, 06/04/2015 1:14

"Europe needs to be the center of F1. It's more economical for teams to stay on one continent vice all of the flyaway races for the vanity of Bernie and the Third World dictators he has strung along. BE really is the Music Man of Motorsport. To restore the heritage of F1, finish the season in Southern Europe. Change testing too. Make it a way to bring in fans and reward the Tifosi and other faithful F1 fans with more sessions open to spectators. McLaren's awful start only shows the current test schedule is absolutely inadequate. Testing at the races isn't for the ultimate expression of motorsport, whether it's Manor or McLaren."

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8. Posted by kiwi2wheels, 05/04/2015 21:20 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 05/04/2015 22:05)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

Rating: Neutral (0)

9. Posted by robert05, 05/04/2015 20:12 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 05/04/2015 22:05)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

Rating: Neutral (0)

10. Posted by kiwi2wheels, 05/04/2015 18:41 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 05/04/2015 22:05)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

Rating: Neutral (0)

11. Posted by robert05, 05/04/2015 8:55 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 05/04/2015 22:05)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

Rating: Negative (-2)

12. Posted by kiwi2wheels, 04/04/2015 22:04 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 05/04/2015 22:05)

"There needs to be a national protest against the government extorting 40% !!! of the Lombardy grant.

As Minardi said , Italy IS F1, the $$$$ and prestige it brings to Italy is incalculable.

Maybe paying the Mafia to arrange some governmental " reshuffles " would be a good investment ! "

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13. Posted by Daydah, 04/04/2015 19:48

"The established circuits are finding F1 no longer economically viable. The teams are finding costs prohibitive and the grid is dwindling. The fans are denied straightforward racing with ever more complex gimmicks. How long before the new super circuits realise the cost of hosting an upmarket garden party around an emasculated F1 spectacle is no longer worth the effort?"

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