Bernie Ecclestone has slamed rumours speculating that F1 teams support News Corp./Exor F1 buyout proposal in an attempt to gain an ownership stake in F1. But while F1 buyout talks might not proceed for the time being,F1 Teams, Ecclestone (on behalf of CVC) and the FIA will soon have to come to an agreement over a new Concorde Agreement in 2012 concerning future F1 TV rights stakes and undoubtly all three parties are interested in getting a better deal from the document that binds the commercial aspects of F1.News Coporation and Exor consortium F1 buyout interest has spurred speculation that the F1 teams might threaten to support them and join the consortium in exchange of a new more profitable Concorde Agreement, either by retaking control of F1 TV rights or by creating a breakaway series just like they have threated to do in the past. Nevertheless, their support to Murdoch-lead consortium could easily become a negotiation ace ahead of the establishment of the new Concorde Agreement in 2012.
Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) chairman Martin Whitmarsh commented:
"We want to see investment. Whether that is with existing partners or future partners."
Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali added: "We want clear rules, stability in the regulations, the return of some European circuits, a reduction in ticket prices, and finally a closer relationship with the public and especially the younger generation."
Referring to the 2012 Concorde Agreement, FOTA vice chairman Eric Boullier comented as well: "After that, there is nothing binding the teams to FOM (Formula One Management)."
But Ecclestone is not fazed by a potential FOTA "poker game" over the new agreement, commenting:
"There have been enough times that people wanted to do a breakaway but they haven't succeeded up until now. We've had five or six Concorde Agreements and there is always these sorts of discussions going on before. It's normal foreplay before these things happen... I go to a restaurant in London two or three times a week (but there's) not a lot of point in me going and saying to the owners that I want a share of the restaurant just because I eat there... You have to be careful about such rumours, but then again rumours are part of Formula One and always have been. I hope these people come to their senses. The teams should be happy to have somebody like CVC not selling to the wrong people, trying to maintain a good level for them and supporting me so that I can go to work and earn some money for the teams."
Ever since News Corporation and Italian investment company Exor showed an official interest in buying F1's management, Ecclestone has been consistently playing down any talk of a sale. During the Turkish Grand Prix he again confirmed that current owner "CVC has given the answer. They are the major shareholders and they do not want to sell. That is 100% for sure." and focusing on the possibility of News Corporation taking control of the sport, Ecclestone claimed that F1 would not fit to Murdoch's media strategy of showing sport spectacles on pay per view television broadcasting doesn't fit on F1 philosofy.
"They have been trying to buy the TV rights from us for a long time, but we won't because they are not free-to-air television broadcasters. They are a subscription service. Very recently they wanted to do something in Germany, in the UK and in Italy, where they are, but we couldn't do it. Sky is doing an incredible job but if you look at their audience they are nowhere. With these figures it would be almost impossible for teams to find sponsors. That would be suicidal."
