Formula 1 race promoters raise concerns in challenge to Liberty Media

Formula 1’s commercial rights holder Liberty Media has been criticised for the direction it is taki🗹ng the sport by grand prix promoters. 🐈;

The Formula 1 Promoters Association, which consists of representatives from 16 unnamed races on the calendar, held a meeting in London on Monday in which it expressed a series of concerns over 🐼Liberty’s methods. 

Formula 1 race promoters challenge Liberty Media

Formula 1’s commercial rights holder Liberty Media has been criticised for tꦏhe directꦇion it is taking the sport by grand prix promoters. 

The Formula 1 Promoters Association, which consists of representatives from 16 unna🐽med races on the calendar, held a meeting in London on Monday in which it expressed a series﷽ of concerns over Liberty’s methods. 

In a rare statement, the FOPA h🍌ighlighted F1’s move away from free-to-air broadcasting as one of the key issues, with the UK’s coverage of the sport becoming excl💧usive to Sky Sports F1 from the upcoming 2019 season. 

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“It is not in the long-term inte🌺rest of the sport that fans lose free accesღs to content and broadcasting,” the FOPA said. 

Concerns were also raised over a “lack of engagement and clarity” from Liberty with ra✃ce promoters over new initiatives, as well as fears over the methods used to secure new events. 

“There 🅺is lack of ܫclarity on new initiatives in F1 and a lack of engagement with promoters on their implementation,” FOPA continued. 

“💖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.” 

The statement added:🍸 ”As we enter a new season of the sport that we have promoted for many decades, the promoters seek a more collaborative approach to the development of the championship and the opportunity to offer their experience and expertise𝕴 in a spirit of partnership with Formula 1 and the FIA.”

Stuart Pringle, British Grand Prix pr🦹omoter and boss of the Silverstone Cir𝐆cuit which activated a break clause in its contract - meaning this year’s event is set to be the last hosted at the Northamptonshire track - says the race promoters group has taken issue with the type of deals offered to new venues.

Formula 1 race promoters challenge Liberty Media

Pringle highlighted par🎃ticular concern over the postponed plans for a Miami Grand Prix, w꧅hich he claims would be a “free deal”. 

“Everyone is disgruntled. Liberty's ideas are disjointed,” Pringle told The Daily Mail.

“We have all been compliant and quiet hitherto,ꦡ but we have great concerns about the future health of the sport under the people who 𒁏run it now.

"If this continues, Formula♛ 1 will be racing on second-rate circuits, if any at all.” 

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