FOPA chairman Stuart Pringle says Liberty Media now know where they stand after a meeting with Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey.
Earlier this week, Pringle, who is also managing director at the British Grand Prix venue Silverstone, issued a statement on behalf of the F1 promoters association on a number of grievances they had with the sport’s leadership.
Those complaints ranged from the focus on Pay-TV deals at the expense of free-to-air coverage, uncertainty over F1’s future direction and frustration that traditional races are under threat financially while a race in Miami received a special risk-sharing arrangement.
Carey and FOPA responded with a face-to-face with Pringle suggesting Carey was “wounded” but considered the conversations to be productive.
“There is every indication the message has been received,” he told the BBC. “We were frustrated that we felt we had no option but to take this sort of action but actually, we have had a very positive day.”
The unhappiness aired wasn’t shared by all promoters, however, with Russian and Mexican GP organisers distancing themselves from the statement.
Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has also offered his years of experience on commercial matters, to help address the situation.
“I am an employee of the company and will do what I am told. If they want me to help, I am willing to do so,” he told the Daily Mail. “I don’t want to lie on my deathbed and see the sport I created go downhill.”
