Does Richard Branson understand F1?

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by herowassenna

There was a time a few years ago, when Ron Dennis, Frank Williams and Ken Tyrrell were going to fight Mosley in court for some perceived infringement of technical rules. With Tyrrell involved, it must have been pre-1998.
In effect, we're talking about Williams and Mclaren. At the time, the 2 most successful teams of the 80's and 90's. Yet they got nowhere and eventually backed down.
Would you, as a constructor, not back Ferrari for political or other reasons?
Whatever people perceive Ferrari to be, they are the most powerful name/ brand in F1. Any threat they put forward will be heard.
Their threat to leave F1 made headline news in newspapers worldwide, not just the motor-racing specialised press. The Williams/ Mclaren/ Tyrrell protest was reported only in the Autosports and their like.
Ultimately, Ferrari got Mosley to retire/ resign from his position.
He's still bitter, because he continues to insult Montezemolo now.

When the scandal broke of Mosley's private "entertainment" habits, Mercedes, BMW, Honda and Toyota were very vocal about the disgrace and he should step down. Motoring organisations across the world condemned his behaviour and he was unwelcome in many countries. Yet he ignored it all and continued. They say power corrupts...

I remember that business with McLaren, Williams and the break away series.

It's not a question of backing Ferrari but siding with them and not because you necessarily like them but because it serves your cause.

Ferrari didn't get Mosley to retire, he had to as his position had become untennable because of his private life being made public. As you say he was unwelcome in a number of countries; he had to go.

[herowassenna]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I remember that business with McLaren, Williams and the break away series.

It's not a question of backing Ferrari but siding with them and not because you necessarily like them but because it serves your cause.

Ferrari didn't get Mosley to retire, he had to as his position had become untennable because of his private life being made public. As you say he was unwelcome in a number of countries; he had to go.

I didn't mean Ferrari got Mosley to resign because of his private life. Mosley was forced to resign the Presidency in 2009 because Ferrari were very serious about leaving the F1 circus and they had the backing of the majority of the teams and manufacturers. Of course, its all a game of bluff.
Max agreed to step down, as I remember, when the teams agreed to budget caps but not as severe or draconian as he was suggesting.
At the time of the "nazi" scandal and private life which I believe was 2007, Max remained in power. Ferrari didn't make comment against him at the time.
But yes I agree, teams don't back Ferrari because they like them, but because they wield huge power and it serves their cause.

[old man]

We seem to be a little off topic here, interesting though it is

[Teretonga]

So what is Branson going to do.

Paddock magazine has reported that Renault, possibly Virgin, Sauber, possibly Mercedes, Force India, all have large loans issued to them by their parents/sponsors. So if they cannot raise enough commercial sponsorship to cover the loans does that mean they go bust..... and we lose them.

For example Renault the manufacturer is supposed to have issued a loan to the race team secured against its property and money from the Concorde agreement.... If it is not repaid all the property and equipment reverts to the factory. BMW may have a partially similar arrangement with Sauber.

Could we see a reshuffle at the end of 2010 or 2011....
If Virgins funding of the race team (Manor et al) is actually a large loan then what happens if it can't be repaid....

Is it all a pack of cards shaped like a circus and if the cards on the bottom slip the whole tent comes down....

[old man]

Lots of wealthy guys come into racing and spend at levels that are disproportunate to the prospects of success in their chosen formula, some achieve, many don't but mostly they are real racing nuts with a passion for the sport. I don't put Branson in that category although I may be wrong as I have never met the guy.

I believe he gained a disproportunate level of success with Brawn because of the Honda legacy and was blinded by the scientific potential to think it would happen again at Manor and reality has now set in. It will be a measure of the man when we see how he reacts at the end of his contract. That in turn depends how well the team does in the remaining period but there is no tougher racing category anywhere.

[GolddustMini]

does branson still attend the races? he was there for practically every race with brawn when they were winning, but i cant recall seeing him at a race since about the third round, that said i dont tend to watch the before coverage of a race.
although tbh we dont seem to see much in the way of virgin coverage or press releases anyway.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by GolddustMini

does branson still attend the races? he was there for practically every race with brawn when they were winning, but i cant recall seeing him at a race since about the third round, that said i dont tend to watch the before coverage of a race.
although tbh we dont seem to see much in the way of virgin coverage or press releases anyway.

That's a good question. I watched the BBC preamble before British GP and neither was there hair nor hide of Branson and thinkng back on the preambles for both Canada and Valencia no mention of him either.

[herowassenna]

Originally Posted by old man

I don't put Branson in that category although I may be wrong as I have never met the guy.

Everything I have ever read about Richard Branson, including his autobiography, would suggest he has no interest in F1 other than on commercial grounds.
He would seem to be the quintessential hippy and his love was balloons and music.
I don't believe he even has a sports car of any description.

[old man]

My thought is that he will not renew the deal and Manor will struggle to find a commercial backer of any note unless they get a lot better quickly. I do feel that we may find regular changes at that end of the grid. Perhaps Bernie will move to a franchise system?

[foreversideways]

I am sure Mr Branson must be becoming bored with Virgin F1 by now, i doubt Virgin will continue to support the team for much longer even though i believe it costs them very little.

[Born Racer]

I thought he would get more exposure becoming a title sponsor of Brawn last year, but I suppose he got the figures worked out.