Objective of the FOTA: Improve the show in F1

Flavio Briatore, director of the Renault team, wishes to work closely with the commercial rights holders of Formula 1 to help shape the future of the sport. This reaction comes following the agreement reached between the FIA and the FOTA (Formula One Teams Association).

Briatore is the head of the commercial division of the FOTA. The current work is focused on developing a new Concorde Agreement to ensure the presence of the current F1 teams until and beyond 2012. Additionally, more importance will be given to the fans.

Speaking yesterday, Thursday, at a FOTA press conference in Bologna, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo revealed more details about the agreement reached with Max Mosley, president of the FIA.

« Since the beginning of the matter, we have had priorities, and I would like to thank the FIA World Motor Sport Council for the meeting on Wednesday, which proved to be very positive and very constructive in the interest of F1, » explained di Montezemolo.

« We will continue in 2009 with the same rules for everyone, which is very important. We will have stability in F1 at least until the end of the 2012 season without incurring additional costs. »

« We also have governance whose rules have just been clarified by the Commission. And we will continue, among car manufacturers, to work towards significant cost reductions as we have already successfully done with engines and gearboxes. »

« Flavio [Briatore] will also work with the commercial rights holder to improve the show and the interest in the sport. »

The McLaren team principal, Martin Whitmarsh, stated that it is important for F1 teams to listen to the wishes of the fans.

« As you know, the FOTA conducted a very interesting study, trying to understand what the fans wanted. The initial findings led us to some conclusions which were submitted to the FIA. »

Unfortunately, none of these suggestions or ideas were accepted. We must now continue this work.

« We must be structured in our relationship with the fans by asking them what they expect from this sport, the format of the sport, their way of understanding, how it is presented, the way we provide information. In short, we must continue to work, » concluded the Briton.