Team bosses speak to Liberty Media

“From what we have heard so far, it seems very positive. » Like the team managers present this Friday at a press conference in Singapore, Christian Horner, Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, seems for the moment to look favorably on the arrival of Liberty Media, the new buyer of the F1.

The American group will now preside over the destiny of the discipline, while retaining Bernie Ecclestone as general manager. “They are obviously part of a very serious group and I cannot believe that a company like Liberty would invest in Formula 1 at the level of value that has been detailed without having a long-term plan. » Horner comments.

Liberty Media has already presented ideas for the future of the category, and the main players in the starting grid recognize, however, that certain questions need to be studied in more depth.

“We hope that some of the areas where we have been behind previously will be addressed, continues the boss of Red Bull Racing. I think for the US market this could be a good thing, as well as platforms like digital and social. We'll wait to see what their plans will be in detail, but everything we've heard so far has been very positive. »

In the press release published by Liberty Media, the across-the-Atlantic group also indicated that the teams involved in the championship could become shareholders in the future. A prospect that could offer interesting opportunities.

“The idea seems good, confesses Toto wolff, boss of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport. If you are able to bring together key stakeholders with long-term visions and the teams are shareholders, there are a lot of problems you could solve. »

“A lot of value has been produced for existing Formula 1 shareholders, precise on his side Cyril Abiteboul, General Manager of Renault Sports Racing. I think it would be a good thing if teams were able to capture some of that value, given the risks that are taken by the different parties financing a team. So yes, if it makes sense, then I will say clearly, why not. »

Monisha Kaltenborn, Team Principal of Sauber, however, was keen to emphasize that the sporting aspects should not be put aside for the good of the discipline. “From what we have read so far and heard in the statements made, I also believe that the sport must be observed from the inside, and that measures will have to be taken to ensure some parity in the competition. This is just as important for us as looking outwards, at how F1 is going to be promoted. »