My British GP moments
It was a weekend of mixed emotions at Silverstone, that only served to confirm that Formula 1 is in dire trouble. Sadly it was politics - and - that dominated, but there was also that loosened the dominate Brawn team's grip on the two championships. And what about itself? Here's my look back at the British Grand Prix.
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Comment number 1.
At 23rd Jun 2009, Bennus wrote:Good to hear you at Silverstone Murray. I had hoped you could be persuaded to help commentate on what could be Silverstones last GP for a while, but like a Button win, was not to be, eh? Always a pleasure to hear your thoughts and opinions!
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Comment number 2.
At 23rd Jun 2009, rjaggar wrote:Has the BRDC considered talking to Arsenal FC about how they transformed their income streams by upgrading their facilities? One wonders if that is part of the required solution?? The model at Arsenal broadly is: 100 seriously pampered people in ueber-first-class; 1500 or so in Boxes; 7500 ish in Business Class (called Club Level) and 51,000 odd regular punters. There's a long waiting list for tickets too.......they just about trebled stadium revenues by the move, which has of course cost a lot of money.........but's it's arguably the finest match-day experience around.......the stadium is also used for dinners, conferences, school exams etc etc. The model's not strictly comparable, but there must be some pointers there.....
If I were the BRDC I'd get Branson on board once his sponsorship of Brawn finishes.......he'll get them sorted out.....
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Comment number 3.
At 23rd Jun 2009, Carlonso wrote:Thank you Murray for your opinions.
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Comment number 4.
At 23rd Jun 2009, cordas wrote:Great to hear from you as always....
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Comment number 5.
At 23rd Jun 2009, AndyAlbert wrote:Murray - this is mt first ever blog comment!
Surely the race conditions contributed to the ease with which Red Bull dominated? As the summer warms up and track temperature gains I suspect Brawn (and Button) will regain the advantage. What say you?
p.s My wife says get a new pair of glasses, you would look even sexier !!
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Comment number 6.
At 24th Jun 2009, puffinrtb wrote:Murray -
Would I fall from grace forever for hoping that the FOTA teams *do* break away?
So far this season we've had to wait to see if Brawn would actually keep their championship points over an issue that the governing body should really have scrutinised and decided on before the season began. We've had one race stopped and another seriously affected by rain because the start times were adjusted to suit European TV. We're seiing races staged where there aren't any fans and we're seing polotics and more politics. I for one am sick and tired of the uncertainty generated by the constant brinkmanship and the doubts caused by the apparent favouritism and back-door deals.
I'd like the championship to return it's roots as a sport and it's place amongst the fans. I firmly believe that the spirit and heart of the championship will follow the teams, and that the result will be a single, sporting series of races rather than two as many seem to think.
I'm just a fan. but off-hand I can't recall any fan, driver or team complaining about Silverstone recently (once the road access issues were sorted:->). Only the FIA seems to have a problem with using Silverstone as a venue. Why should two good and well-loved venues and the fans have to put up with this will-they-won't-they dance to suit the whims Bernie's Beastie Boys rather than the needs of the sport?
I'm tired of it all. I hope that FOTA aren't meeting FIA brinkmanship with their own. I really, really, hope they go and give us something worth watching.
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Comment number 7.
At 24th Jun 2009, FishFingers wrote:Why is the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ so anti-Donington?
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Comment number 8.
At 24th Jun 2009, PaulTodd wrote:Murray-
I was thinking its all well and good people dont want to lose the race at silverstone. But we as fans should be doing somthing about this instead of just moaning on the internet.
We really need to let bernie know how much this place means to us F1 fans
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Comment number 9.
At 24th Jun 2009, FastBBBB wrote:Great review. too your questions it is now yes and no mosely. I can't say I'm happy or sad
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Comment number 10.
At 24th Jun 2009, LordWoz wrote:Hi Neiltc13,
what do you base your comment on?
Hi Murray, thanks as ever to your diary. Its really good news regarding the agreement eh?
Cheers
Lordwoz
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Comment number 11.
At 8th Jul 2009, Lord_Lancashire wrote:Nice to know that the FIA / FOTA split is not now happening. Good news.
Just looking at some of the above comments...a point about the races that fewer people attend --> these events have absolutely fantastic circuits that host these races - especially future classics like Bahrain and Istanbul and Singapore (which had a good crowd last year), but these events need much better advertising, to get new people there.
It would be a crying shame to loose the circuits, they are great. But give them time, and better advertising, and they'll soon start to fill up.
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