The ultimate in stupidity from bernie

[sammyg2]

Bernie Ecclestone is considering dropping the Monaco GP, saying the Principality does not "pay enough".

Monaco has been on the F1 calendar since 1955, however, the Principality reportedly does not pay to host the grand prix whereas other countries pay an average of 24million Euros.

And with Ecclestone looking to scrap existing races in order to sign up new countries and keep the calendar to a maximum of 20 grands prix, Monaco could be given the axe.

"I think it is possible (to have F1) without Monaco," the F1 supremo told Sport1.

"They do not pay enough."

However, with India and America are set to join the calendar in the next two years and Ecclestone looking at Russia and South Africa, Monaco is not the only European race that is under threat.

"The Europeans have to pay more money or we have to go elsewhere," added the 79-year-old.

[TheMentat]

I wouldn't call it stupid...

His objective is to maximize the returns to his Formula One management company. If he can take the show to some country where a corrupt government will kick in taxpayer dollars (rather than make some promoter try to make ends meet with ticket revenues alone), he would be stupid NOT to do it! He could give a rats ass how many people show up to the race (aside from the Paddock Club)... all that really affects his bottom line is TV revenues. It makes perfect sense if you think about it.

I'm a regular attendee at Montreal. When they skipped Canada, I still watched the races on TV putting money in his pocket, and I'll bet most other fans can say the same.

Sure you might lose some of the historic tracks, but the newer tracks that replace them are undeniably impressive (and FAR better suited to modern F1 than Monaco). As a television viewer, the only "traditional" track I'd miss would be Spa.

[Joeaksa]

Feel that its far past time to "drop Bernie!" so to speak. He can get together with Max and they can whip each other for fun.

[URY914]

With ideas like that he could be working at the White House.

[legion]

The problem is that Bernie is employing a short-sighted strategy.

While going to socialized tracks may bring in money now, it slowly drives fans away as they cannot attend races in person.

Eventually there are less fans, which reduces TV revenues, and makes hosting an F1 race less a less attractive trophy to dictators...

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by legion

Eventually there are less fans, which reduces TV revenues, and makes hosting an F1 race less a less attractive trophy to dictators...

Less fans? Maybe - just maybe - he is looking 10 years in the future. The Asian sub-continent & the Asian rim is getting richer by the day. In 10 years they just might pack those venues. The NA market is not a growth market for F1 - its perception is far too high brow for the beer-swilling Nascrap fans. The Middle East venues are all about cash - of course.

That said, he is still a serious dwarf dweeb & has to go.

Ian

[Oracle]

He's not dumb but very smart.. The more money he collects the more money for the teams.
Let's face it Monaco is pretty boring unless you're there. On TV you know who'll win based on the grid unless something bad happens.. My vote is to ditch it and replace it with more modern tracks that are safer and offer more entretainment to the general public instead of the rich that attend Monaco.

[ODDJOB UNO]

bernie should come back to phx in july instead of last time when it was i think june when it was cold.


VOTE THE IDIOT OUT NOW!

[Tervuren]

Monaco was a cool track fourty some years ago, maybeee even up to thirty years ago, but I think its become less and less interesting.

That said, they might shell out some money...

[Zeke]

Argue all you want on the objective side. Is there no romance left in the equation? If not, why do they race the vintage F1 cars in Monaco?

A lot of people don't get Indianapolis. Would open wheel racing be the same w/o the anchorage that the INDY 500 provides?

It's fine with me if you say that these 2 races are not needed. But, when racing has no soul and it's all about getting to the front at any cost, I won't be watching.

[boba]

Originally Posted by legion

The problem is that Bernie is employing a short-sighted strategy.

He is 79. LOL

[javadog]

I agree with Milt. I've been interested in F1 for 40 years and my interest is waning rapidly. I just can't stand what Bernie has done, I hate the concept of "making the show better" and I'm tired of all of the bad decisions that get made year in and year out. Imagine, having a steward that has never raced a car. This year is better but why'd it take them so long...

JR

[legion]

I've dreamed of going to Monaco for years. It's kind of a bucket list kind of thing for me.

Bernie is all about killing dreams though.

[Noah930]

If F1 bails on Monaco, do ya think we can get IRL to go there?


(Sorry, green font implied.)

[Joe Bob]

And I care, why? Rich man sport, race has rare passing if any, finish order is determined in qualifying, they turn left AND right (wait, that's a gud thang)...... no trickle down to poor folk like moi.....

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by URY914

With ideas like that he could be working at the White House.

Keep political diarrhea on PARF

[ODDJOB UNO]

my parents went to monaco all expenses paid for selling a TON of CARBOLOY TOOLING! they stayed at the uberest of hotels, wined and dined blah blah. my folks said they had never had a better time in monaco than anywhere else on the planet. my folks were RAVING MAD over the formula race. pounded it into my head to go someday. they really did love it that much.


i got to watch them twice here in phx front row center before bernie pissed off the city of phx.


the next best venue for road racing on the west coast was the long beach grand prix. that was wayy cool. saw that for a few years.

[chapo]

Good! I already don't watch a lot of the races from the newer venues because they are boring. Bernie will get his money and I will have one less race to watch on Memorial Day. He will succeed in turning F1 into the IRL. My interest is already waning.

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by milt

Argue all you want on the objective side. Is there no romance left in the equation? If not, why do they race the vintage F1 cars in Monaco?

A lot of people don't get Indianapolis. Would open wheel racing be the same w/o the anchorage that the INDY 500 provides?

It's fine with me if you say that these 2 races are not needed. But, when racing has no soul and it's all about getting to the front at any cost, I won't be watching.

Modern F1 at Monaco is kinda boring to watch. I didn't even watch it this year. There's very little romance in the Moncao GP from a TV's standpoint, maybe if you're there.

Historic racing is another matter.

The Indy 500, kinda too much grip and speed, its like watching RC cars. Its more fun to watch Kurt Busch slippin and slidin' on the outside wall in a NASCAR and makin' it work. Kurt showed up at my local kart track when I was there practicing recently, guy knows how to drive a kart. (Not all CHRASHCAR driver's that have been there give the idea they know how to drive, some have their seats totally due to money/family.)

Some races are good to watch, others aren't. the Talladega 500 is boring to me as all get out. This year Daytona with its lumpy pavement was a good race, drivers had to drive it.

So anyway, my viewpoint may be objective, no romance for the past, but I'll stick to watching races I think I might enjoy - or trying out watching something I haven't before.

[PorscheGAL]

Originally Posted by legion

I've dreamed of going to Monaco for years. It's kind of a bucket list kind of thing for me.

Bernie is all about killing dreams though.

That was my thoughts exactly. I have been telling my husband for years we need to do this. Just been waiting till son got old enough. May not be able to wait.