Ecclestone resorts to “blackmail” to force teams to Bahrain Grand Prix

Bernie Ecclestone tells F1 teams to pay up or shut up over Bahrain
10 April, 2102 – The Guardian

Bernie Ecclestone made the 12 Formula One teams an offer they must refuse on Tuesday when he indicated that they could decide whether or not to compete at next week’s Bahrain Grand Prix. The words he left unspoken were that, should the teams take him up on the offer, it would cost each of them millions for breaking contracts.

“We’ve no way we can force people to go there,” Ecclestone had said in response to a Guardian story in which a leading member of one team said everyone hoped the FIA would call the race off. “We can’t say: ‘You’ve got to go’ – although they would be in breach of their agreement with us if they didn’t go – but it doesn’t help.

“Commercially they have to go, but whether they decide to or not is up to them. I’ve had no one say anything other than: ‘We’re going to be racing in Bahrain.'”

Two triple world champions who later became team chiefs – Sir Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda – explained why the teams would have to go to Bahrain, provided the race continues to be endorsed by Ecclestone and the FIA, the sport’s governing body. Lauda, who was in charge of the Jaguar team for two years, said: “The consequences are that if you don’t go you have to pay, so you have to be very careful. Teams can’t just say they’re not going. We’re all together in one world championship for Formula One.

“One team can’t just say they’re not going. If they say that they’re not part of the sport. They have a Concorde agreement. If teams can just do whatever they want we could not have races all over the world.”

Ecclestone and Formula One have the dozen constructors over a barrel. Because if any team – particularly a smaller operation – decides to break their contract with the sport’s commercial rights holder the consequences could be financially ruinous. The difficulties the teams face are not even purely financial. Stewart said: “I wouldn’t put it down to a financial figure. It’s more of a responsibility and a contractural commitment, not only to Bernie Ecclestone but to all the sponsors. …more