What do you think of the FIA?

Question

I don't know much about the FIA or what they are responsible for. I just remember some negative publicity such as the 2005 US Grand Prix, with them not coming to an agreement with Michelin. And recently, they have not penalized Mclaren for possessing classified ferrari information. What's your opinion of them, do you respect them for their solid committed stance over issues?

Answer 1

FIA are nice people who think only of viewers. The drivers dont give a damn, the constructors dont care about us, only the FIA is there for us. They are the true practitioners of democracy, they will do anything for what they think is the majority of the viewers. They enforce rules differently for this effect. If you have a popular driver, then you may break any rules and the nice folks of FIA would let you have even more fun. Actually, the phrase "Guilty, but not punishable" is invented by the FIA. This is a significant contribution to the legal systems of the world.

The FIA are nice people.
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Kimivilleneuve, FYI, Michelin goofed up 2005 USGP.

Shumi The King, I am surprised that you dont get the obvious sarcasm in my answer.

Halcyon, its predominently sarcastic. Am I Bernie??? Thats an insult, I should be reporting you for abuse.

Answer 2

The FIA often comes across as this big brotherly organization that's disconnected from the fans of the sport. As the governing body, it has to concern itself with the financial aspect of the sport, which will take it into newer and newer markets in order to earn revenue. However, in the process, it faces the danger of losing its roots, its soul. While I am in favour of replacing circuits that no longer provide for a good race, weekends like Hungary and Spa stand in sharp contrast to the rule, for opposite reasons. Hungary can stay inspite of its boring layout because it is profitable, but Spa, inspite of being on the top of the list of favorite circuits for drivers and fans alike is left out every other year because it falls short of money.

The disconnect is also seen in the countless changes to the qualifying format (thankfully, it has stopped now). This is not even including the fact that all their dealings in disputes reek of bias and politics.

In the general scheme of things, you'd be hard pressed to find *any* sports fan who's completely happy with his favorite sport's governing body. Cricket aficionados curse the ICC no end. The International Cycling Union did not ingratiate themselves to anyone by the way the 2007 Tour De France turned out. And I'm sure hockey fans in the US must have been less than thrilled about the lockout a couple of years ago. So take heart, they aren't doing a lousy job. But it does not mean it couldn't have been better.

Answer 3

Quite honestly I believe Michelin is at fault for the US fiasco. Expecting an organization to violate its own rules in reconfiguring an established track because Michelin doesn't know how "safe"(competative) their tires will be, is outrageous. Did they expect an utter disregard and violation of the Concourde Agreement because they did not adequately test and prepare their own tires? Such arrogance and incompetance! Some of us are free-thinkers who watch these things for ourselves and make our own calls.

As for the FIA, the constant rule changes and the dumbing of the sport for greater marketability is deplorable. Drivers, teams and fans also should have the right and responsibity to ensure the status of F1. That duty should not be left exclusively to Bernie Eccelstone and the banking industry whose only interest in the sport is profit. It is supposed to be the pinnacle of racing, for gods sake, not big business. Sorry NASCAR fans but that sport has become corporate big business and F1 is headed in that direction as well. . The rules should not give favoritism or suppress the development of the sport, but be a working model of safety, driver, team, and sport improvement, as well as enjoyment for all involved including us fans.

In other words, take a few steps back FIA, and quit messing with our racing.

Answer 4

They are incompetant morons who have made F1 the sham of a sport it is today. The fia have been constantly imposing these rule changes for the past 5 years which have destroyed the spectacle of F1. Zero passing occurs due to regulations, Qualifying is more important than the race, all the small independant teams have been forced out and we are now stuck with soul less manufacturers and they keep moving GPs out of Europe where F1s real following is.

Also, they keep going on about cost cutting but then they keep changing the regs which makes for huge costs.

And as for these "green" cars that should be road relevant? What a crock of ****. God i hate the FIA.

Answer 5

Bernie is that you incognito as "Firefox"?

Democratic? You must be joking. Please check your history. Eccelstone went from a mid-pack team manager (Brabham) and parlayed that into control of FIA, and subsequently turned F1 into his own personal cash machine (super licenses?). Bernie and his minion Max Mosely learned well from Bill France how to control and make piles of money from racing.

I just wish the racing was a bit better, though I will say that the current season is the best in years.

Answer 6

Max Mosley is a ********. i hate him. the fia isnt bad but max mosley is not fair. he favours whoever has the most fans. the past 5 years its been shumi and ferrari. this year its hamilton and mclaren. mmclaren shouldvebeen banned from the2007 season for the spying. but no penalty! last year mclaren wouldve ben kicked out off1 for the year but not this year

Answer 7

FIA should be fair against all teams to make the sport better.

Answer 8

The FIA are assholes and is an unfair group. They lean to whomever has more money and power! Democracy my ***!