F1 OWNERS REMAIN OPTIMISTIC

Liberty Media chief sees bright future ahead despite Ferrari’s threat to quit

ABU DHABI optimistic.

A new logo presented on Sunday heralds an extensive rebranding of the global series, with a big push into digital platforms, and there is plenty more to come even if details remain scarce.

Work on the more complex issues, such as implementing a cost-cap, rebalancing revenues distributed to teams and a rules blueprint for the future, is just getting started.

“The initiatives that we have underway — whether it’s cost, revenues, engines — the reality is that there is broad-based support for the broad direction of where we’re going,” said Carey.

“As you get into the specifics there are always going to be differences, that’s just the reality of life. What we need to do is find the right compromises.

“Nobody gets everything they want but everybody’s better off Formula One chairman Chase Carey

than they were before.

“So I think our goal would be to try and find those compromises and I think we honestly believe we’re going to get a compromise.”

The American and his team – including ex-Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn and former ESPN executive Sean Bratches — have plenty to keep them busy.

Making the racing more exciting and competitive is a priority, with the season fizzling out in the later stages after Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and eventual champion Lewis Hamilton had looked like battling down to the wire earlier in the year.

Sunday’s race under the Abu Dhabi floodlights was so processional that Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, one of the most exciting drivers on the grid, did not attempt to hide his boredom.

“If I had a pillow in the car I could have fallen asleep,” declared the 20-year-old.

Creating a more level playing field and fairer revenue distribution to teams after current commercial agreements expire in 2020 is high on the list but Liberty can expect stiff resistance with several competing interests at play.

Ferrari, the sport’s oldest and most successful team, have already warned they could quit if they do not like what the future holds.

“You’ve got a long list of parties so this is a game of three-dimensional chess in finding the right balance,” said Carey.

“What you try to find is compromises that really are at the end of the day in the best interests of the sport and ultimately the fans.”

Liberty has ramped up investment in the sport, spending on infrastructure and putting a marketing, research and digital operation in place.

That has led to a drop in earnings which has hit revenue payouts to the 10 teams with payments, at US$273 million (RM1.92 billion) in the third quarter, 14 percent lower than the same period last year.

That has raised concerns but Carey said it was all part of growing a business. “Realistically, to grow things, usually there’s no free lunches,” he said. Reuters