F1 Guide: Liberty Media wants to liberate F1

Announced in September 2016 and finalized in January 2017, the takeover of the Formula 1 by the firm of tycoon John Malone, American telecoms and cable giant, has already made a notable victim: Bernie Ecclestone.

The great financier of the queen discipline since the end of the 70s did not survive the audit carried out by Chase Carey – former lieutenant of Rupert Murdoch, who moved to the camp of the great rival Malone. The new general director of the F1 Group held numerous meetings over the preceding months, finalized the sale and identified the numerous “malfunctions” of the “Ecclestonian” system.

From the redistribution of income always in favor of the richest to the loss of appeal of the Grands Prix, including the lack of competition on the track, a TV audience in free fall, a process of inept decision-making only guided by the profit, a disregard for historic racing and much more, Carey's assessment made it clear that drastic action had to be taken. Led by Sean Bratches, general manager of commercial operations, and especially by Ross Brawn, general director of motor sport, the major redeployment will take place, but undoubtedly not as quickly as some would like and yet imposed by the need to quickly reverse the defection curve.

We will undoubtedly have to wait for the expiration of the current Concorde Agreements which govern F1 until 2020 to see the desired profound changes appear. Until then, the standoffs will multiply with the main players, very positive on the “digital” aspect of Liberty Media’s intentions but fiercely opposed to any new revenue base. We will have to bring down many “Bastilles” to witness the end of privileges in F1…

Discover our file on Liberty Media in the AUTO F1 Guidehebdo on the 2017 season, still available in digital version on all platforms and on newsstands.