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According to The Times newspaper this morning, the FIA are apparently not entirely convinced by Bernie Ecclestone’s latest idea of scrapping points and awarding drivers with medals for their performances in races next season. For 59 seasons the Drivers World Championship has been decided by the amount of points earned, but under Ecclestone’s new scheme, the world champion would be the driver with the most gold medals, or to put it another way, the most wins. Ecclestone has stated that he expects the FIA to pass the ruling next month, but it seems it isn’t going as straight forward as he may have hoped. Continue Reading

It couldn’t have escaped your attention that Bernie Ecclestone has a new idea that he thinks will encourage overtaking in Formula One. The idea centres around the way the winner and subsequent finishers are awarded their ultimate prize, currently points that go towards a grand total which eventually decides the finishing order of the championship. It isn’t rocket science and it has worked ever since the championship was formed in 1950. Bernie though, thinks this should all change… Continue Reading

The Canadian Grand Prix has been treading on thin ice for a little over a month now after the event was unceremoniously dropped from the proposed 2009 calendar without warning and at the time, little explanation. Since then, government and circuit officials from Canada have held talks with Bernie Ecclestone in the hope the race can be reinstated. Unfortunately, it seems these discussions have been all but fruitless as an announcement yesterday evening put paid to rest the speculation. Continue Reading

I think we are on provisional calendar number three at the moment, and while it is good for the sport to get such an important part of the Formula One World Championship correct, it is annoying me that I can’t book my summer holiday yet. And on a slightly more serious note, the Chinese Grand Prix has moved and there is still no return of Canada to the calendar, suggesting that there has been no further development between the Canadian officials and Bernie Ecclestone. Continue Reading

Interlagos, home of the Brazilian Grand Prix and this weekend’s race, has reached agreement with Bernie Ecclestone to continue hosting the race through to 2014. The deal had been rumoured last season, but Ecclestone wanted to wait until the promised $15m of improvements had been finalised for the pit and paddock complex, the medical centre and the grandstands. With Ecclestone happy with the planned improvements, the deal has now been signed. Continue Reading

After the Canadian Grand Prix was rudely dropped from the 2009 calendar, the world gasped in horror at the largest automobile market on the planet not having the opportunity to showcase the very sport that the car manufacturers invest in. The North American fanbase were appalled, and I personally was disgusted at not only losing a great track, but also the way in which the cancellation had apparently been handled. However, it would appear that not all is lost for next season… Continue Reading

About two weeks ago, the FIA announced via the press that the Canadian Grand Prix had been dropped from the 2009 Formula One World Championship, causing an uproar among fans the world over, particularly those residing in North America. The continent and major motor-industry market have lost a key race, especially so given that there is no USGP at the current time. But the reported nature of the way the race was dropped has started a war of words between the Grand Prix du Canada organisation at the FIA and FOM. Continue Reading

The French motor sport federation (FFSA) have announced today that they will not be holding a French Grand Prix in 2009. Although the race has come under almost continuous scrutiny for the last few years, Bernie Ecclestone had announced earlier this year that the current contract Magny Cours has will be honoured. However, citing economic issues, the FFSA have pulled the plug early and consider their options for the future. Continue Reading

India has had its inaugural grand prix put back by twelve months, Bernie Ecclestone announced today. The Indian Olympic Committee had thought this may happen, and during the Singapore Grand Prix the rumour was spreading. But the increasingly developing country remained buoyant over its contract to hold a race, and apparently plans are being drawn up for the purpose-built permanent circuit on the outskirts of New Delhi. Continue Reading

There is little worse than losing Suzuka from the calendar every other year. There is little worse than the circuit, possibly the country which hosted the very first grand prix losing a place in the championship. And there is little worse than the pinnacle series in international motorsport not racing in the largest car market on the planet. But Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA have managed what I previously thought was impossible. The Canadian Grand Prix is apparently no more. Continue Reading