"That's why Liberty Media gave up Ecclestone''

The departure of Ecclestone

Formula 1 is currently negotiating a new budget cap and there are also many other ideas that the sport needs to consider. Are top teams going to sell their cars or should everyone be able to build their own car? According to F1 commentator Olav Mol, Bernie had already known the answer a long time ago.

''Bernie had already done his preliminary work. He had already visited several teams. We're going to do this and this and then you'll get this and this from me or I'll take care of that for you. That's how those conversations went in the background. For years that has worked well, but I don't know if that would still be the case now'', says Mol in the podcast F1 aan Tafel of Grand Prix Radio.

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However, we will never find out, because Liberty Media left Ecclestone for this very reason. ''That's why they relinquished him. They don't want to make mysterious or vague deals with teams, countries or organizations. That's just what they stand for as Americans.''

If Mol is contradicted, he explains why he can say that so emphatically. "I officially have a contract with Liberty Global. Ziggo Sport falls under Liberty Media and that falls under Global again. In that contract there's quite a bit about that kind of stuff and how to deal with taxes. Of course people will find their way around it, but it says something about including it in the contracts'', concludes Mol.