British and French GPs saved

[Kicking-back]

There will be nineteen races in 2005 - the teams have done a deal with Bernie which will see Silverstone and Magny-Cours rubber-stamped.

[Marbot]

Just read it at www.grandprix.com ,excellent news.

[Andrew Gunnell]

It's brillient news!!

[luke]

Great news, was this do with the teams meeting up in London?

[ralf fan]

Yes.... KB its just like the time you told us Mika is coming back!!! was that true?? *whispers*
Oh yes it was!

Fantastic news... British GP is on YEEHAAW.. oh yeah and the French thing is there too...

[Kicking-back]

It has come out of the teams meeting, Luke, yes.

Expect some more good things to become public in the next few weeks.

[Marbot]

Obviously Bernie didn't want the GPWC getting their hands on it.

[BootsOntheSide]

Whatever the motivation behind it, it's great that the fuss and worry over this has proved to be for nothing. Every racing fan in the world would miss Silverstone's presence on the schedule - it's one of the classic racetracks, has more heritage than most, and produces great races more often than most. Although Magny-Cours isn't an awesome track, it'd be a great shame if there was no race in France.

[josvandeperre]

I don't want to spoil the party but Silverstone has been saved and unsaved numerous times in recent weeks months and years - in the wild and wacky world of F1 where anything can happen and be changed the next day would we not be a little wiser waiting at the very least until the FIA confirm the calendar

[Kicking-back]

The race was never not going to go ahead, in all honesty, I believe.

[Adam43]

A quick summary of what happened then as it isn't quite finalised.
http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.asp?id=40734&s=5

Ron Dennis
We believe agreement was reached today that removes any obvious obstacle for the British and French GPs to take place.

However only nine of the teams agreed to this, but Autosport also state that while Ferrari weren't present Todt was keen for them to go ahead.

Another potential stumbling block is that contract with Silvertone still needs to be agreed, but:

Bernie
We haven't got a contract with Silverstone yet, but I would be shattered and disappointed if we didn't get a deal.

So it looks like the oldest GP and the venue of the first World Championship GP will take place next year.

[Knowlesy]

Looking good.

Things are looking better, amidst all the politics which are frankly becoming pretty cynical.

[Super Tourer]

Good result, pity we had to go through the public panto first though. Mind you it is nearly Panto season....oh no it isn't, oh yes it is......Maybe someone shouted out to Bernie 'he's behind you'....

[RWC]

Ummm ,this doesn't mean the brit GP is going ahead!!


Be prepared for a whole new round of politicing and insults as bern and the BRDC try to come to agreement.....................................


...and this is all assuming that ferrari agree to the proposals??! Sorry i hadn't time to read it all (ill check it later) but don't they NEED ferrari's say so before doing all this?

[Adam43]

Jean Todt has indicated he wouldn't stand in the way of the French and British GP.

The deal with Silverstone is probably more of a concern, but Bernie said he "would be shattered and disappointed if we didn't get a deal". (see above, for links etc...).

Not certain yet, but it looks more on than not.

[BootsOntheSide]

This is the most likely it's looked so far, at least. Ferrari would surely be bullied into accepting the race, and it wouldn't be to anyone's advantage if no contract is agreed.

[DougK]

I don't see why they need ferrari to go ahead the 9 other teams could just go ahead regardless and leave it up to Ferrari whether they attend or not (maybe they couldn't class it as a championship race but bernie could give some insentives!). Its about time Ferrari were brought into line one way or another. Perhaps they can be charged by the FIA into bringing the sport into disrepute by failing to adopt changes? It would certainly happen in Football!

[Gt_R]

Ferrari has NEVER objected to having the British/French GP.

[Glen]

Originally posted by DougK
Its about time Ferrari were brought into line one way or another. Perhaps they can be charged by the FIA into bringing the sport into disrepute by failing to adopt changes? It would certainly happen in Football!

Perhaps the other teams could be charged with the same thing for ignoring suggestions like restricting the number of engines used in the testing season - which makes great sense?

At least TRY and see things from more than one angle.

[DougK]

My point is basically that 9 in favour 1 obstaining menas that it is fair to make the changes. There will always be someone unhappy but that is tuff. I try and see it from both sides but don't feel that Ferrari should be treated as a special case a clear majority agree and thats how the sport should be run not on the basis of a single individual or team.

Just because Ross and Jean couldn't make it doesn't mean another rep could not have gone - at least to listen and share Ferraris opnions.

Hopefully if/when the new concorde agreement is drawn up (or if they all go to GPWC) then majority decisions will be enough.

[Glen]

Well duh! So you don't think there's any coincidence that the one team margialised is also bar far the most powerful and successful? Not any chance that Ron and Frank et al have pulled a mini-coup and pushed Ferrari into a corner to favour their own ends? No coincidence that the proposed method of cutting costs involves reducing tetsting days (which Ferrari use plently of, same a few others) but also involves more time spent setting-up at the race weekend (when every team has struggled recently to find a set-up, whereas Ferrari have consistently been able to be right on a good lap time very quickly) but (!) extra engines will be allowed for these sessions (when Ferrari has the most reliable engines)... Look at it both ways - big corporations like McLaren Mercedes and Toyota etc don't vote on stuff for the good of the sport alone! If they can find a way to give themselves a little edge AND marginalise their greatest rival AND appear to be acting in the best interets of F1then that is what they are going to choose. Ferrari's idea to limit the total number of engines per year for testing and racing would be even better for expenses - surely the other teams are acting in a highly selfish way by putting their own priorities ahead of cost-cutting?

I think Ferrari can win whatever, such is their quality, but don't go round thinking that the other teams are the good guys with the fans' best interests at heart and only Ferrari are capable of cynical manourvering.

[KevinS]

Amen Glen!

IMHO, the rules of the wicked 9 were only thought up to end Ferrari dominance, not to cut costs.

If you can't win a fight in the ring, shoot your opponent in the leg before the match!

[Glen]

Cheers

I wouldn't say they were ONLY thought up for that purpose, or even that this is their primary purpose, but I do maintain that the other 9 would not have voted for something unless they got a litte "added value".

[Snrub]

I don't get why they would want to race in the UK or France when they could be racing in upper Mongolia. It's almost like they think the prime F1 audience is in the UK and France. Silly fools.

[Glen]

Marlboro, West, BAT and the rest of them aren't so much intersted in the prime F1 audience as the prime F1 audience that sees ciggie advertising.