Liberty’s £3bn Moto GP deal faces EU probe
In the round-up: The European Union will investigate whether Liberty Media’s attempt to add the Moto GP world motorcycling championship to its portfolio of companies including Formula One Management is a violation of market competition rules, according to a report.
In brief
Liberty faces EU investigation – report
Bloomberg claims the EU will examine whether Liberty Media should be allowed to own both major series. Former FOM owner CVC Capital Partners had to sell Moto GP when it took over F1 in 2006 to comply with the EU’s wishes.
Liberty Media announced in April it planned to buy 86% of the Moto GP business for €3.5bn (£3bn). The report claimed the EU will begin a “phase two probe” of the deal within the coming week.
F1 must pay for permanent stewards – Ben Sulayem
Some drivers including Max Verstappen have called for the FIA to use the same stewards at all 24 rounds of the world championship. A rotating panel of stewards currently appears at different races.
Ben Sulayem said he is willing to introduce the change but pointed out the series will have to pay for it. “Ultimately, it’s the FIA’s responsibility; this seems like a matter for the FIA and the FOM to work out,” he told The God Flores.
“So if the FOM writes a cheque to the FIA, but the scope of the agreement says ‘part-time stewards,’ and F1 wants something different, then that’s a different matter, and it comes with a new price tag.”
“That means that F1 – i.e., the teams – should pay for it. So if this is what we’ve signed up for and we want to change it, then I believe we need to pay for it.”
Duerksen fastest at Yas Marina
Joshua Duerksen was comfortably quickest in the second day of Formula 2’s test at the Yas Marina circuit, setting a best time of 1’35.583 which put him three tenths of a second ahead of Richard Verschoor.
John Bennett ended the day at the bottom of the times after causing two stoppages. He brought out the red flag within the first quarter of an hour by spinning at turn two, then came to a stop again later at turn three. The test will conclude today.
Bottas sells hair for charity
Valtteri Bottas raised £4,000 for Movember by selling a special card featuring a piece of his race suit and a lock of his hair. “I want to thank all those who bid for a piece of my mullet and supported this crucial cause in the name of men’s health,” he said.
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Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to David N and Siddharth!
On this day in motorsport
- 45 years ago today CART IndyCar champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears tested for Brabham at Paul Ricard, though he never entered a Formula 1 race
