FastTrain

This weekend is the biggest date in the British motor racing calendar. It is the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. This year it is also the point where the motor racing teams have threatened to break away from Formula One over proposed rule changes.

Be in no doubt that they will if they have to; however it will be a massive headache for people who have had to concentrate only on the racing cars, drivers, getting sponsors and so on. The organisation of the races, TV rights and broader sponsorship has been organised elsewhere.

So to threaten to break away is a big thing. That’s why reading the statement of the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) was so interesting. One simple word gave the game away.

Here is the relevant part of their statement:

“The teams have no other alternative but to begin to prepare for a new championship which reflects the values of the competitors and their sponsors.

“This series will have a transparent governing body, one single set of rules, it would encourage new entrants, would willingly listen to the fans’ wishes, which includes lower admission prices throughout the world, for the sponsors and major shareholders.”

Spotted the word? Yes, it is ‘would’. If the teams were so hell bent on breaking away, they would already have their plans mapped out. In one sentence they switch from ‘will have a transparent body’ to ‘would encourage new entrants etc’.

In this case ‘will’ is in the form or an expression of future intent – it is going to happen. Whilst ‘would’ in this sense has the feeling of a hypothetical expression of something that might happen if it became absolutely necessary.

Which is why, to my reasoning, the FOTA do not really want to leave Formula One; instead they have decided to negotiate through threat, possibly because all else has failed.

The next 24 hours will reveal all.