Formula1 Journal

In a pointed and sometimes emotional news conference Thursday afternoon, Tavo Hellmund, the man who brought Formula 1 to Austin 18 months ago, stated his case and tried to explain how Austin's Formula 1 Grand Prix plans went so wrong, so fast. Here are his words:

“In late spring amongst our partners, we had a view of thinking of a different direction of the way things should go. That happens, and no one’s right or wrong. That created the current friction, but nothing that would derail the project.

 

Continue reading

Formula 1 Facts vs. Fiction - The US Grand Prix is not over 'til ......

It has been a difficult week for Formula 1 fans in the U.S. The drama increases with each passing day and the future of the U.S. Grand Prix (USGP) in Austin has become more uncertain. Rumors that the race would be cancelled started a few weeks ago, but now those rumors seem likely to be reality, and it is increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction. Be that as it may, let’s take a shot at doing just that.

Continue Reading

Austin's Formula 1 running on fumes: F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone cancels the contract

What began as a misfire is now in flames. Formula 1 boss (and we do mean “boss” in every “Sopranos” sense of the word) Bernie Ecclestone threw jet fuel onto the fire today when, according to London newspapers, he announced the Formula 1 contract (necessary to run a Formula 1 race in Austin) held by Tavo Hellmund has been cancelled.

Here's what Ecclestone told the Daily Mail:

Everything was signed and sealed, but we kept putting things off like the dates, various letters of credit and things that should have been sent, but nothing ever happened.

Then these other people [Circuit of the Americas] came on the scene, saying that they wanted to do things, but that they had problems with Tavo.

They said they had the circuit, and that they wanted an agreement with me. I told them they had to sort out the contract with Tavo, which they said they would.

But that has gone away now because we've cancelled Tavo's contract as he was in breach.

We've waited six months for him to remedy the breach. He knows full well why we've cancelled. He's happy.

Asked point blank if the race would be cancelled if no agreement were reached by December 7^th Ecclestone answered, “Yes, it will be, for sure, 100 percent.”

Wait a second… Tavo Hellmund is happy? Now that’s a new take on the situation, and it suggests there is more at play than meets the eye.

Continue reading

Austin's Formula 1 crashes: If Tavo Hellmund is out, the U.S. Grand Prix might not run

Bernie Ecclestone, Susan Combs, and Tavo Hellmund

 

Last week I wrote about the rumors concerning the US Grand Prix scheduled for Austin in November 2012. Then, last weekend, Bernie Ecclestone told the teams at the Indian Grand Prix that there were “problems in Austin. I don't think they are struggling [with building the track] at all," he explained. "I think there has been a disagreement inside the company."

The company he was referring to is Full Throttle Productions (FTP) run by Tavo Hellmund, and the problem is the relationship FTP has with the owners and investors of Circuit of the Americas (COTA), led by Red McCombs and Bobby Epstein, and managed by CEO Steve Sexton.

 

Continue reading

Why Formula 1 Can Succeed in America - Part 1, By Flood1

"North American F1 Driver Sergio Perez from Guadalajara, Jalisco"

 

My European, Asian, and South American friends understand my fascination with Formula 1. They understand because they are F1 fans. In fact, the common denominator in our friendship is the sport.

My American friends find it difficult to understand my interest in F1, and I seldom try to explain. When pressed, I mention the technology, the international nature, the exotic locales, and the “glitz and glamour.”

My foreign friends always ask why the sport isn’t more popular in the US. I’ve thought about this, and I think I have a pretty good answer: no permanent home circuit for the sport, no American constructors (teams), and no American drivers.

But, it’s a little more complicated than that.

 

Continue Reading

Insider squabbles, flapping lips: Is Austin's Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix in trouble?

 

There have been mixed messages concerning the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin this week coming from the mouths of people who should be “in the know” about the event. As the year’s racing schedules near the end, the “silly season” begins and rumors start to fly. Most concern driver’s contracts, racing sponsors, technical partnerships, etc.; but, the rumors also include racing schedules and circuit contracts with the sanctioning bodies.

 

Continue Reading