Bernie's successor
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Bernie’s looking his age these days. He can’t last forever, but the man built the sport into a huge global event. So like him or not, the sport needs him. So who would take over? Bookies time:
Flav
Long considered the favoured one, and an old friend of Bernie’s. He’s got an entrepreneurial genius for making money out of nothing, and he’s got connections everywhere. On the other hand, he’s too much of a buffoon to have the quiet touch Bernie’s always mastered. Outside the sport, he’s very poorly thought of.
Di Montezemelo
Very highly thought of outside the sport, connections and pedigree second to none, at least in the “Old World”. Has the money and the backing to make a takeover attempt, according to reports. Cons: Dictator that makes Moseley look like a pussycat, guaranteed to run the sport like his own private club, and would never look after the best interests of the sport as a whole. Bernie would be against him anyway.
Mosley
The Bernie & Max show goes back to when they were the underdogs. Max is a genius, of that there’s no doubt. He’s the ultimate political animal and treats the piranha club like a bunch of pet chihuahuas. Cons: Already part of the FIA, though that wouldn’t stop him for a moment.
CBC
They already own the sport, they just don’t run it. They know what works and how to maximise revenue. They have someone to run the FIA and don’t care how it gets on with it. That’s one less source of interference. Cons? They don’t know how to run the sport and underestimate just how parochial the paddock is for a multi-billion dollar sport.
Mallya
Very big money, and very big business. Has several years in the paddock now and has the business acumen to make it work. Very highly thought of in the “New World”.
Cons: Seems like a bit of a background character for a man with such a big yacht.
Branson
British, entrepreneur, knows how to turn a buck and has a flair for publicity. Cons: No commitment to the job.
Fernandes
Entrepreneur. A Team Principal in the classic mode of when Bernie himself was – more wheeler dealer than tech head. Plenty of money and knows how to make more. Good connections in the New World. When it comes to running his F1 team, he’s got a very quick handle on what needs to be done, and has covered all the angles very quickly, and well in advance, which is a hallmark of Bernie’s. Cons: Only new to the sport.
My money’s on Fernandes actually. He’s got Branson’s eye for publicity, Mallya’s New World possibilities, and Bernie likes him. He seems to understand how fans think and what they want (he’s done an excellent job with the “Lotus Legacy” problem), he’s a good manager, and he’s well likeable. Lotus are already a team who look solid and professional, which is more than can be said for a new team in a very long time. And he’s got none of the other contender’s drawbacks.
Some have tipped Berger as well.
I’d hope not any of that list if I’m honest :P
Whoever does get a go at the job is going to have a hell of a time I think to match Bernie.
Flav seems the most likely but it would be a disgrace if he got the job. Luca would be a disaster. Now you mention Mallya I’d love to see him do it but I can’t see it. It’ll probably end up being a CVC newbie (if not Flav).
I don’t see Flav being able to get away with it I mean really can he even be considered after what he did. This man perpatrated the single worst act of brazen fradulence and cheating in F1 history. He cannot be allowed anywhere near the sport again. It would be a total disgrace a nightmare and quite possibly the end of the sport.
My vote would be for a premiership style championship, with FOTA owning the rights, dividing the money equally regardless of championship position, with no heritage payments or special treatment. An a chariman selected by FOTA.
I doubt very much that any individual will have anywhere near as much power as Ecclestone does. Presumably CVC will look to get a bit more influence, maybe with a few F1 people in the background for advice.
There were moves to replace Bernie last year. I know this because I spoke to some of the pople involved (investor side, not racing side). CVC spent months looking for somebody to replace him with and came to the conclusion that there is no way to dislodge Bernie from the sport. Note that Bernie only owns a relatively small slice of FOM, he is an employee and is paid as such. But his influence over the sport is never-ending – thus none of the candidates on your list will be able to replace him.
He has the connection with circuit promotors, governments, teams, drivers, advertisers, broadcasters etc. It would take a team of people to replace him, requiring FOM to re-pivot.
Btw you can scratch Fernandez, Branson and Mallya from the list because the job doesn’t pay enough to justify their time (unless they buy the entire sport).
Flav and Mosley no way.
Di Montezemelo possibly down the line.
Either way it will take 4-5 diff people in diff roles to replace Bernie (with one single CEO), and if CVC fill the role it will likely be somebody from outside F1 but with biz sport experience who you have never heard of. Likely a yank (F1 could use some yank knowledge injection IMO).
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