04/04/2015
NEWS STORY
Former team owner Gian Carlo Minardi fears that Monza could follow Germany and be lost from the F1 calendar.
Already dropped from the 2015 schedule, there are serious fears that Germany will not return in 2016, even though Hockenheim has a contract. Indeed, speaking over the Malaysia weekend, Bernie Ecclestone warned that the sport in Europe faces a worrying future.
Fact is, whilst the new, rising economies have the cash to build ever more exciting facilities - even though the ability to actually race on them appears to be an afterthought - pay the ever increasing fees and meet the demands of the sport's powers-that-be, the tracks, mainly in Europe, that were the bedrock of the sport can no longer keep pace.
Forced into updating the facilities, often at the expense of emasculating the original nature and challenge of the tracks, and paying the hosting fees, promoters are finding it impossible to break even, far less make a profit. And whilst the governments of the new economies will gladly provide the money in order that their countries can become part of the F1 dream, cash-strapped nations in Europe cannot justify giving resources to sport, certainly one as elitist, and cash hungry as F1.
Earlier this week, the operators of the legendary Monza circuit revealed their strategy to retain the Italian Grand Prix, a strategy that relies on a grant from the region (Lombardy) in which the circuit is located. However, whilst the region is willing to provide some cash, a large proportion of it would immediately be swallowed up in taxes.
Gian Carlo Minardi is worried.
"We are talking about circuits that are part of a nation at the height of motor racing, not only sportingly speaking," he said, referring not only to Italy, but Germany and no doubt France, already long lost to the sport. "They will not have a Grand Prix. This should make us think.
"So far, Monza has enjoyed privileged treatment compared to the average European and non-European countries," he admitted. However, the fact is under the current contracts the only source of income for the event organizer comes from ticket sales. "Royalties and logistics depend on FOA (Formula One Administration)," he says, warning that for the organisers there is "too little to survive and cover all costs."
"In the seven to ten days a Formula One Grand Prix is in town, there is a turnover amounting to $100m - $120m reaching hundreds of millions of people per event, through television and newspapers around the world," he continues. "Numbers that only the Olympics and various World Championships can reach... but every four years.
"Formula 1 represents a real economic benefit for state assets," he adds. "Precisely for this reason, Formula 1 must be treated as the World Swimming Championships, the Olympics or World Football Championships, events in which not only the Sports Federation but also the Government can intervene.
"Do not forget that Italy has the Number One cultural heritage in the world, which is envied by all. Therefore, we should use Formula 1 as a magnet to attract tourists, studying holiday packages, Pre and Post-GPs, with worldwide tour operators. Besides, we are talking about a city which is easily accessible by plane and high-speed trains."
Looking to 'newcomers' to the calendar such as Abu Dhabi, Singapore and Russia, he said: "They bet on Formula 1 to grow tourism, commercial and industrial sectors. Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur were the first among the new entries in recent years. Petronas itself has taken advantage of Motorsport’s image to become a global giant. The same holds true for cities like Imola or, going back several years, Adelaide. Before F1, who knew them?"
Warning that were more races to be lost this would also impact jobs, the Italian concluded: "This is the reason why I want to wish the President of Milan Automobile Club, Ivan Capelli, good luck for the start of negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone and our ACI President Sticchi Damiani, who cares about the existence of Italian Grand Prix and Monza’s safeguard. He will make every effort to find the right funds and agreements.
"Monza, along with Silverstone and Monte Carlo, is Formula 1."