Force India demand Abu Dhabi meeting over cost crisis - Bob Fernley contacts Ecclestone by letter
Published by Christine
A letter has been written by the smaller Formula One teams to Bernie Ecclestone with some serious concerns about the state of funding in the sport, and a request for a meeting at some point during this weekend’s season finale in Abu Dhabi. The letter, signed by deputy team principal of Force India Bob Fernley, is on behalf of his team plus Sauber and Lotus, and details their frustrations.
Selected quotes include: “The costs of the power unit together with the installation costs amount on average amongst us three to $43 million. This is 70 to 80% of the FOM income allocated to the engine.”
“The generation of further funds through sponsorship is achievable but we all recognise that other global sporting competitions are chasing the same sponsors which are at lower levels than even two years ago.”
The letter also goes on to call out the FIA for being unable to act, as part of the strategy group which allows them to be overruled by Bernie and the bigger teams. This is something Force India were concerned about when the group was first announced.
