LONDON: The Formula One Promoters Association (FOPA) has expressed massive concern over the way the motorsport is being run at present by owners Liberty Media, UK’s The Independent reports.
FOPA has issued a statement following a meeting on Monday on its growing rebellion towards the owners, following their recent decision to stop free-to-air television broadcast for all its races throughout the Formula 1 2019 season except the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, London.
“It is not in the long term interest of the sport that fans lose free access to content and broadcasting,” it said in a three-point statement.
“There is a lack of clarity on new initiatives in F1 and a lack of engagement with promoters on their implementation,” added the statement.
“New races should not be introduced to the detriment of existing events although the association is encouraged by the alternative business models being offered to prospective venues,” it concluded.
Another UK news agency, The Daily Mail suggested Liberty, who took over from CVC in 2017 when they removed previous commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone, is in trouble. He has urged for ‘a more collaborative approach’ as well as “the opportunity to offer their experience and expertise in a spirit of partnership with Formula One and the (governing body) FIA.’
“Everyone is disgruntled. Liberty’s ideas are disjointed,” FOPA chairman Stuart Pringle was quoted as saying to the newswire.
“We have all been compliant and quiet hitherto but we have great concerns about the future health of the sport under the people who run it now.”
The development comes on the back of Formula 1 recently announcing a significant rise in worldwide audience figures across television and digital platforms as well as in-stadia attendance in 2018.
