Mo' Money

Money certainly remains the talking point with the business..err.. sport that is Formula One.

The latest is the spat created by Ferrari president, Luca di Montezemolo, calling for a greater slice of the revenue. Mind you, when I first read reports on this, it was a case of the teams looking for it (di Montezemolo is the the current head of FOTA), but these seem to quickly turn into Ferrari just looking for it.

Toyota F1 president, John Howlett, has since come out stating that they were also interested in a great slice of the pie. No surprise there, since the Japanese manufacture has just announced profit losses this year.

One reason for Ecclestone's statement is, according to rumors in the media, an attempt to drive a wedge between Ferrari and the rest of FOTA due to Ferrari having a special deal. This deal is said to provide Ferrari with substaneously more money for winning than other teams.

Such a deal, while unsurprising, is not something I think I should be in place. Just because Ferrari is the longest running F1 team and is rich in history, shouldn't give them that such benefits.

That been said, its funny how the other side of the coin looks a couple of years on. Think back a few years ago, when there was serious talk of a new breakaway series. The FIA offered Ferrari the special deal and brought the marquee back into the fold. The result eventually started a domino effect that saw the end of the breakaway league threat.

I wonder what people who talk about FIA-Ferrari bedhopping will take on the twists and turns of the 'relationship.'

So really, the situation is what it is, because of the deal done with the FIA a few years ago. After using the 'pull' the Ferrari name had to 'save' the sport, one could say they are now trying to feed it back to the dogs to possibly, according to the rumors, split the unified front of the teams.

Although, I wonder how much credibility rumors of trying to put a wedge in FOTA are. Isn't a series with a unified front vital in such an economic climate?

Of course, when money is involved, lines always become more blurred.