The ambitious plan to provide a regulatory and financial framework that will please all aside, for the most part team bosses appear happy with Formula One under its new management.

Though the intention to introduce a budget cap and spread the moolah more evenly, not forgetting introducing technical and sporting regulations also aimed at levelling the playing field, may yet cause more threats and even a walkout or two, the team bosses agree that much of what Liberty Media in terms of the fans has been for the good.

"I think there have been some very good things," said Christian Horner. "I think Liberty are very much fan-focussed, so things like access to content for opening up digital media, social media... I think the engagement with fans, creating a better experience trackside.

"I think the promoters, certainly the teams, have found that there's a different approach, a different attitude regarding that side of the business," he added.

"Obviously with every new change of regime, the style changes," added Toto Wolff, "and we have all been used to Bernie's way of doing things and lots of credit to him for having built-up the sport. We all wouldn't be sitting here if he wouldn't have been as visionary and powerful in the past in building Formula One.

"With the new ownership, it's not one person any more than makes the decision but a broader group of people and the transparency that has kicked-in is refreshing and makes things easier to deal with.

"Obviously we, as a sport, face tremendously challenging times," he admitted. "Like any other sport, the way sports are being broadcast has changed, and will continue to change and we are all having the challenges of seeking additional income, and that has been equally difficult for Liberty. But they have been trying things: some good, some bad... or some less good but I think overall we're all in the same boat.

"We want to see the sport grow, we want to see revenue grow and, bottom line, we can all understand that there is a financial reality that needs to be respected. The top teams are spending too much and we need to get that under control. In so far, summarising, I would say it was positive."

"I can only see positive aspects from them," agreed Toro Rosso's Franz Tost, "and I'm also convinced that they are going in the right direction for the future of the sport, because it's important that Formula One will be changed, from the cost side and what they want to do is absolutely the right thing, to come down with the costs.

"They brought in a new attitude for the media, they're concentrating on the social media are being preferred more and I think all of these aspects together are important, that Formula One will go in the right direction.

"What we need is not a two-class society like we have now: three teams and the rest of the world. No, it needs ten teams that are close together. Or at least four or five teams are fighting for the championship, fighting for race wins, and this must be the goal, otherwise Formula One is not interesting in the future. I think Liberty Media understood this and they are going in the right direction. I can only support them."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Willy56, 04/07/2018 16:22

"I live in Canada and do not have a cable supplier so am unable to watch any network supplied programming. I have not seen a second of live F1 racing in over three seasons and have been awaiting the promised online live action. So far no news about how I go about this when it occurs.
I do not really miss F1 as I recall it had become rather boring with the same few faces at the sharp end but I would come back if the promised streaming arrived and was affordable.
Come on Liberty.....follow through on your promises and (re)gain a sizable fan base."

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2. Posted by Esteban, 03/07/2018 19:41

"So far so good? If by that you mean "Liberty is doing a Disney, closing their ears to what fans really want and just insisting what they're doing can't be bettered, while actually dumbing down everything in order to appeal to John Doe" then yes."

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3. Posted by Ro, 03/07/2018 15:47

"If no races, even highlights wont be available in the future F1 will be dead and buried. What a farce! Its all about money. Bugger the fans its all in the advertisers. So be it. If it does happen, F1 will lose a huge amount of fans and followers. Media Liberty, you suck!"

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4. Posted by FQITW, 03/07/2018 13:28

"@AandyC

Liberty are ‘fan-focussed’ but it seems only on the fans they want to focus on.
You are not paying for Sky so you don’t matter – welcome to the club!

A club with an ever increasing global membership…
"

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5. Posted by AandyC, 03/07/2018 10:54

"Shame I will not be able to watch Formula 1 in 2019 in UK. I live on my pension, a fixed income, and as we in the UK already pay for the privilage of watching TV I refuse to be blackmailed by Sky. So tough - F1 has lost another supporter after 30 years! Perhaps highlights (as per half the races already) could be made available."

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F1, so far so good under new management

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