The FOTA breakaway - your questions answered.

The news that the FOTA teams have decided to go and play with themselves next year certainly raises more than a few questions and with most F1 journalists in a state of speechlessness this morning, we thought we would pose… questions sent in by our readers to Malcolm Price, Head of Media and Sporting studies at Luton Polytechnic:

Q: So, Malcolm, what will the new series be called?
A: Well, it can’t be ‘Formula One’ and as yet Bernie has not managed to trademark the words ‘Grand Prix’, so I’d stick a tenner on ‘The Grand Prix World Championship’. In fact I think I’ll nip off and trademark it now…

Q: What about those circuits contracted to Formula One Management and co?
A: Those contracts are a closely guarded secret but the folk building at Donington and Abu Dhabi must be wondering if they’ll have anybody racing next year. Monaco will go wherever Ferrari go and Silverstone will no doubt be on the ‘phone to FOTA this morning.

Q: What about the TV rights?
A: I wouldn’t like to be the BBC executive who signed up for years of F1 for a gazillion dollars last year, that’s for sure. Would you want to watch Williams and Force India versus 11 teams nobody has ever heard of or will you switch over to Sky and watch the real thing?

Q: Will it really happen or is this the ultimate bluff?
A: Who knows, but with the FIA insisting Ferrari, Red Bull and Toro Rosso have no choice but to stick with them, there are going to be some seriously rich lawyers out there…

If you have any questions for Malcolm please email them in…

Tags: FOTA

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