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View Full Version : Just one thought about the GPMA future


Carlis
22nd Jan 2006, 05:42 PM
Renault's CEO Mr Gosch (did I spelled it correctly?) has said countless times that F1 as it is, is very expensive for them. Also, there has been a lot of speculation about Renault quitting the sport after 2007 because of the costs. Last few days, was published (by the spanish media) that Renault might not pull out from F1 after 2007, but instead, they might start selling engines to other teams.

In either case (they retire, or they sell engines), they will not have a place to be in the "GPMA Series" because all its members are going to be making their very own cars. That leaves Renault, pretty much, on Ecclestone's side (although they haven't signed anything yet, and they claim to be "in solidarity" with the GPMA side).

Without Renault, we have a GPMA compossed by Mercedes and BMW, with Honda and Toyota supporting their side, but against the idea of a rival series, not to mention the rumor of Williams using Toyota engines after 2007 (and Williams already signed with Ecclestone) and also the rumor that Super Aguri already signed the new Concorde Agreement (which will leave Honda with a team, for sure, in F1).

There are also rumors of american teams looking to enter in F1 after 2008, where the super-low cost measurements from Mosley will kick-in. If Renault is willing to sell engines, those teams will have the chance of having a fast-reliable engine from day 1, which will do nothing but to increase the hype of F1 on the USA, an economy that Ecclestone wants to secure no matter what.

The GPMA started as a negotiation tool against Ecclestone, then Stoddart deformed it in a political weapon against Mosley, and right now, at least from my point of view, it looks like just a blackmailing idea that will never go through.

Comments are welcome

JoStream
22nd Jan 2006, 06:16 PM
The GPMA has been quite a funny thing.

At the beginning it looked like it actually might happen. Even Ferrari was considering it.

But then teams started jumping ship, primarily cause of the uncertainty a rival series posed. Of course, let us not forget the juicy economic incentives (i.e. Red Bull and Ferrari).

I agree with ya Carlis, the GPMA was indeed a negotiating tool that is continously loosing its edge.

So what does the future hold? :?:

Well, we all know Bernie, and we know that this guy is a brick when it comes to negotiations. As such, he might actually pull his thought through and win the other teams at the end too. :!: