Formula 1 teams have respected the takeover of the game’s business arm by US bunch Liberty Media.
Liberty has purchased an underlying 18% of the F1 Group and will turn into the primary shareholder with 35.3% when the arrangement is finished, due to be in mid 2017.
“I hope they take steps to ensure a certain competitive parity,” said Kaltenborn. “That is for us more equally important to how the sport is being promoted to the outside.”
Christian Horner said: “It sounds very positive. I can’t believe a serious group like Liberty would buy F1 without a long-term plan.
“Hopefully, they can address some of the weaknesses we have in some areas.”
His perspectives were reverberated by Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff, who said: “Christian and I once in a while concur, however on this we are 100% in agreement.”
In comments that could be translated as a swipe at the past principle shareholder CVC Capital Partners, Horner likewise respected the way that an organization with a yearning to put resources into and build up the game had turned into the new proprietors. “Rather than a venture capitalist buying it, it is far better for the sport that a company like Liberty does,” Horner said.
“We need to understand what’s his plan, what’s his vision, for how Liberty see F1 for the future,” said Horner.
“He is going to have to get up to speed. It is great they have come to an agreement with Bernie for him to be involved for some time to come because that intervening period is going to be crucial but then he has to work out what he wants F1 to be in the future.”
Cyril Abiteboul said: “It is a great opportunity. The teams have created a lot of value in F1. It would be a great thing if some of the teams could capture some of the value, so if it makes sense, why not.
“It is good we have some long-term stability because its gives us some time to focus son the product, F1 is always a balance between entertainment and sport.”
Wolff added: “The idea sounds good if you are able to align all major stakeholders with a long-term vision.
“If you make the teams shareholders, that would solve a lot of problems but it is a commercial and financial decision and it depends on the detail.”
