55 replies to this topic

[Xpat]

Not sure if this is serious or just a puff piece on a local.

http://www.indystar....xt|IndyStar.com

[dau]

"Seen as possible future F-1 leader" - by whom, exactly? Only thing i see is a generic testimonial by Penske and this Brown guy himself reminiscing about how he once saw Bernie buy a $300 Chinese fan (the mechanical kind, i hope).

Googling his name brings me to a few articles from January 2011, which all seem to be based on this piece in The Guardian. Which is basically the same story about this nice, successful business guy, who seems to be close with Bernie because he's doing business with him and occasionally meeting him at auctions. The guy obviously knows how to sell himself, i guess.

Doesn't look there's anything to this.

[Peat]

Forget it. When Bernie goes, F1 will die on its a$$ like the rest of motorsport.

[BillyWhizz]

Ari Vatanen....

Really can't think of another genuine successor candidate who would be more likely to successfully take up Bernie's baton and run with it, without letting his ego get tangled around his feet and bring him (and ultimately the sport) down quickly. Plus he is not an ex F1 principal or would not have leanings towards the wishes of one team over another.

Of course, it'll never happen, but it would be the perfect solution - if a seamless transition is what Bernie would like to succeed him.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Other than name, I don't see much reason to consider Vatanen.

[Rob]

Forget it. When Bernie goes, F1 will die on its a$$ like the rest of motorsport.

That's Bernie's biggest achievement. Convincing everyone that he was the only one that could do what he did.

Of course it's all rubbish. There are plenty of others who could do that job. Some could do it better than Bernie.

[dau]

Ari Vatanen....

Really can't think of another genuine successor candidate who would be more likely to successfully take up Bernie's baton and run with it, without letting his ego get tangled around his feet and bring him (and ultimately the sport) down quickly. Plus he is not an ex F1 principal or would not have leanings towards the wishes of one team over another.

Of course, it'll never happen, but it would be the perfect solution - if a seamless transition is what Bernie would like to succeed him.

Really? Why? What exactly qualifies Vatanen for a job as CEO of a billion dollar business? He ran against Todt for FIA presidency and served two terms in the EP, but that's pretty much it for experience. I'm not aware he has ever headed a business or even just a racing team and even in the EP, he mainly dealt with "car taxation, traffic policies, development aid, and agricultural policy" according to Wikipedia, so hardly controversial issues.

[Xpat]

I think it would be interesting to see an American run the show.

Get Martinsville on the schedule and Darrell Waltrip in the booth.

[schubacca]

Just like Weekend at Bernie's, BE's corpse will be controlled by a trust overseeing F1.

[Biggun]

They are already in place

Michael Payne and Christian Vogt, both recruited after olympics to direct FOM marketing and strategy

[jj2728]

Get Martinsville on the schedule and Darrell Waltrip in the booth.

would love to hear a sky/bbc tv commentator exclaiming......."Boogity boogity boogity".

[Owen]

Er... Head of Sainsburys anyone?
http://gu.com/p/3ezkv/tf

[DutchQuicksilver]

I would say Jean Todt would be best.

[Juan Kerr]

Forget it. When Bernie goes, F1 will die on its a$$ like the rest of motorsport.

F1 is already rubbish as it is compared to what it could be. Bernie is still at the helm so don't jump the gun on that. Everyone wants flat out racing and we aren't getting it.

[OfficeLinebacker]

I think it would be interesting to see an American run the show.

Get Martinsville on the schedule and Darrell Waltrip in the booth.

Heh comme on dit "BOOGIDY BOOGIDY BOOGIDY LET'S GO RACIN' BOYS" en Francais?

[OfficeLinebacker]

I would say Jean Todt would be best.

Why? So Ferrari can be even MORE powerful?

[f1fan1998]

What none of you seem able to distinguish is that of an entrepreneurial leader and that of a corporate politician / employee. Mr E is the former and Justin King is the latter.

The successor will not be one person but a group of people with a chairman type role monitoring such a board of advisors. The group will be decided by CVC especially if they do go public as they will need a publicised succession plan.

[DutchQuicksilver]

Why? So Ferrari can be even MORE powerful?

Like Ferrari has been favoured since Todt is the FIA president If anything, it's been Red Bull who has been favoured with only being reprimanded when they had something illegal on the car.

[undersquare]

Like Ferrari has been favoured since Todt is the FIA president If anything, it's been Red Bull who has been favoured with only being reprimanded when they had something illegal on the car.

Haven't Ferrari just been given a veto?

It's an issue, anyway. F1 has always been corrupt, whether by Ballastre or Max or Bernie. The whole structure of the FIA WMSC invites corruption and so does FOM.

When Bernie goes there's an opportunity for someone to clean things up. FIA has certainly been better under Todt than it was, so let's leave him there and bring in someone new for FOM. Someone young and properly clever. And perhaps even with a bit of integrity.

[One]

Er... Head of Sainsburys anyone?
http://gu.com/p/3ezkv/tf

Sounds interesting. More info?

[Owen]

Sounds interesting. More info?

NBC has got hold of it
http://motorsportsta...ones-f1-throne/

[Ross Stonefeld]

That's just repeating the Guardian story, which was of dubious quality to begin with.

[Ellios]

I'll place a bet on Christian Horner, £1 !

[fastlegs]

What would the job description for Bernie's position be?

Once that is established then it would become clearer on which candidate would have the right skill set to replace Bernie.

[Risil]

Randy Bernard?

[One]

NBC has got hold of it
http://motorsportsta...ones-f1-throne/

On the wish list of Bernie then?

How about Flav? No more, I assume yes,... never say never?

[Collective]

Tamara!

[BRG]

What we need is a devious lying bastard who can fool most of the people most of the time. Sounds like a job for Tony Blair.

[BullHead]

Tamara!

[George Costanza]

I'll place a bet on Christian Horner, £1 !

That would be a sideshow.

[Dino2000]

On the wish list of Bernie then?

How about Flav? No more, I assume yes,... never say never?

Well I was thinking on Flav... they both were cut from the same mould.

[surbjits]

What we need is a devious lying bastard who can fool most of the people most of the time. Sounds like a job for Tony Blair.

[Craigster]

Have a trawl around and you come up with this.
http://www.ft.com/cm...144feabdc0.html

It seems King was touting himself around in November so this isn't news. The talk has stuck around long enough for Ecclestone to end up getting asked about it which is the new part. It is in two serious newspapers - the Guardian and Financial Times but Im not sure that makes Ecclestones dismissal more reliable. The alternative is King taking over then which doesn't seem likely. What does he know about F1?

[Owen]

Have a trawl around and you come up with this.
http://www.ft.com/cm...144feabdc0.html

It seems King was touting himself around in November so this isn't news. The talk has stuck around long enough for Ecclestone to end up getting asked about it which is the new part. It is in two serious newspapers - the Guardian and Financial Times but Im not sure that makes Ecclestones dismissal more reliable. The alternative is King taking over then which doesn't seem likely. What does he know about F1?

Not much. But he is a huge motor sport fan and his son is a euro f3 driver apparently (sponsored by King via some associated brands).

[One]

Tamara!

her mother?

[George Costanza]

Flavio? That would be much worse...

[One]

Slavica got 1/2 of Bernie's she must be a good player...

[Ross Stonefeld]

I think that's just called getting a divorce.

[One]

I think that's just called getting a divorce.

just...

[Sin]

... I always thought Lauda would follow Bernie

[Risil]

... I always thought Lauda would follow Bernie

Please let this happen

[F1ultimate]

I would say Jean Todt would be best.

He's too sensible and too boring. CVC will demand an extrovert that is corporately well connected like the head of Tesco or Sainsbury's.

[noikeee]

I think the FIA would have an objection or two about Flavio taking over, not sure if they could actually have the power to prevent it though. Possibly a few of the competitors would object to it as well.

[ste3900]

I was in a bar in Bahrain last night and in walked Bernie. He sat about 2 tables away from us and was struck how old and frail he was looking. I know he's 83 or something like that but he is looking old...

My question is, when he enevitably does depart this mortal coil who is going to fill the gap?

Who or what is going to fill the power vacuum?

[jonpollak]

Did you shake his hand?

After I met him on the street at Indy in 07 Flavio asked me to count my fingers.

Jp

[ste3900]

No, didn't shake his hand. In hindsight I wish I had.

The singer started and he deemed it too loud for his liking so paid his bill and left.

[KingTiger]

I was hoping Ron Dennis would come in after him, but unfortunately it won't happen as long as he's part of McLaren. 

[HoldenRT]

Careful of shaking his hand, it could fall off.  Think of the lawsuits..

[Bartonz20let]

Anybody hear his 'wish I could get it up' joke?

Cringeworthy

[BRG]

No, didn't shake his hand. In hindsight I wish I had.

The singer started and he deemed it too loud for his liking so paid his bill and left.

I am surprised he didn't charge the bar' and all of you in it, for the privilege of his company.