Eurosport - Sat, 20 Dec 23:16:00 2008
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hit back at criticism from Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo by detailing how much more money the Italian team receive from the sport than their rivals.
"They know exactly what they get, they are not that stupid, although they are not that bright, either. They get about $80 million (£54m) more," added the Briton.
"When they win the constructors' championship, which they did this year, they got $80 million more than if McLaren had won it."
Ferrari are the sport's most glamorous and successful team and the only ones still in Formula One who were also present at the outset of the world championship in 1950.
It has never been a secret that the Maranello team receive a greater share of the sport's revenues in recognition of their special importance but a figure has not previously been revealed.
Ecclestone's remarks followed comments by Di Montezemolo in which the Italian said Formula One was not run in a normal, transparent manner, did not need a dictator and that teams should get more of the revenues.
"The only thing he has not mentioned is the extra money Ferrari get above all the other teams and all the extra things Ferrari have had for years - the `general help' they are considered to have had in Formula One," said Ecclestone.
The Briton added that Ferrari benefited from agreeing a new deal with him after breaking ranks with the other manufacturers in 2003 when they were threatening a breakaway series.
"They were the only team that broke ranks with the other manufacturers - why did they break ranks?" he said. "That's where the $80 million comes in."
Ecclestone suggested Ferrari might like to share some of the money with the other teams rather than seeking more from him.
"What he (Montezemolo) should do, rather than asking for money, with all the extra money Ferrari gets, he should share all that amongst the teams," he said.
A Ferrari spokesman had no comment on Ecclestone's remarks.
"However, the topic of revenue is of the highest importance at this particular time in Formula One," he added.
Montezemolo also heads the Formula One Teams Association who have agreed a package of cost-cutting measures with the governing FIA to stabilise the sport in the face of the credit crunch.
At their last meeting, FOTA and FIA also agreed that they needed to sit down with Ecclestone's Formula One Management "to discuss the earnings of the Formula One teams."
FIA President Max Mosley has suggested that up to 12 teams should get at least $50 million each from the commercial rights holder to ensure full grids and a healthy championship.
Comment 674 - 693 of 693
ginger_gitt. , i proved that he shouldn't have had two sets of intermediates for practice , your the one one who knows nothing.
In which case mouronroute, all you've succeeded in proving is that they didn't get the tyres of his teammate mixed up, not the original point you were trying to make. Concentrate on what you want to argue or what point you want to make. Write it down and read it back to yourself, even ask a stranger on the street to give it the once over (I'd have said friend, but they're proably all busy playing that game of hide and seek you all started back in 1984). Then post what you want to say. A little planning and you might remain coherent.
ARDSAY, wrong again, mclaren put a little thin white stripe on hamilton car tyres as so not to get confused with keiki's tyres, oh god man get back with your stupid camels , dont you know nothing.
MikeQ: Sorry you took the blame for me questioning mouronroute's lack of intellect, but I think Ardsay has since helped make my point for me that Lewis wasn't let off as a precedent had ben set that the stewards adherred to.
I also have no idea what the mouron was on about with the white stripe? These were Intermediate tyres mouron, where is the white stripe on these tyres. So the mechanics are not blind but you are stupid.
What mouron does not say Mike is that Button and Sato also commited the same offence.
In addition
.
All three drivers will have to hand back the extra set of tyres used so that they cannot benefit from having a set of scrubbed inters for the rest of the weekend.
.
He also does not mention that Massa did the same thing at Valencia and exactly the same punishment was given to him.
Why are you having a go at me? I haven't said anything one way or another about the tyres.
MIKEQ, once a cheat allways a cheat, check to see they aint coppied that special little wing maxi boy.
MIKEQ , ginger-gitt, you cant make a mistake, one set of tyres , means one set of tyres , oh, what about the bands of white. oh are the mechanics blind, MMMMMM, dont think so.
That'd bring a tear to your eye Chris :-)
I never said it was the teams fault, although spookily GingerGitt did AFTER you accused me of it, maybe you really can see into the future!
mouronroute: You really are an idiot aren't you. Unless Lewis actually got out of the car and changed the wheels himself then he isn't the one who made the mistake. It's a shame the FIA weren't so lenient in Valencia when Massa pulled out in fron tof Sutil. No wait a minute they were weren't they, deeming that not to be Massa's fault and therefore allowing him to escape punishment. Oh those pesky Stewards, letting Lewis off in practice for a mistake the team made and letting Massa get away with a dangerous pit release.
MIKEQ. IT WAS THE TEAM FAULT, PULL THE OTHER ONE.
MIKEQ, YOU NEVER DO GET THE RIGHT ONE YOU ALLWAYS SHY AWAY FROM THE REAL TRUTH, DONT GET THE ONE ABOUT INTERS.Lewis Hamilton has escaped punishment for breaking Formula One's tyre rules in practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix.
FIA investigate Hamilton
The 22-year-old Briton, who is on the verge of becoming the first rookie champion in the history of the sport, and the youngest too, was investigated by the FIA race stewards for using two sets of intermediate tyres in a wet opening session.
Under Formula One rules, drivers are only allowed to use one set.
But, following lengthy discussions after the day's on-track action had finished, the stewards decided that while Hamilton had broken the rules, it was the McLaren team's fault and not his.
McLaren were therefore fined 15,000 Euros and Hamilton was not punished. Mikeq good job the fia and stewards favour lucky mclaren.
Ardsay.
A cunning plan. I'm surprised nobody else has used it! Bam Bam!
Imagine getting a lump of Canadian asphalt in your helmet! Ouch!
Mike, presumably point 2 was the old ground affect cars.
I seem to remember a car (Alfa Romeo springs to mind) that had a huge fan on the back and pulled air from under the car. Only problem was that if you were following it it shot stones and stuff at you.
Mouron, just for the record Ferrari aren't quite as clever as you think.
1) Lotus introduced the flexible wing in the 80's, thats when they were banned.
2) Lotus didn't just make the floor go up and down for aerodynamic effect they got the whole car to do it, then that was banned.
3) maybe they did, maybe they didn't but Renault definately did & were found guilty by the FIA of having Mclaren plans but received no punishment.
4) Cool fuel is definately illegal, and the two teams definately used it but as above, Not Mclaren, No punishment.required.
Don't get the one about Intermediates?
Keep Trying, Whats the latest on Ron Dennis Buying Honda for Pedro anyway?
M G A, from all the family, very good reading.
#675, No Americans in F1 so I just flip a coin................
Any news on Lewis's knighthood in the new year honours list ?. Sir Lewis Hamilton WDC sounds quite good. An OBE is probably in the offing for Ron.Touronroute would guess an MBE for Glock.
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