Why F1 must avoid its latest red herring
Over the Singapore Grand Prix weekend some teams floated the idea of a 'franchise model' being introduced in Formula 1. But F1 is ill-suited to such an idea
With control of Formula 1's commercial rights gradually transferring from their current majority owner CVC Capital Partners to US-based media powerhouse Liberty Media - to much rejoicing in and out of the F1 paddock - and the deal due to be completed during the first half of 2017, there was much speculation at the Singapore Grand Prix that Liberty would impose US business philosophies on F1.
Most folk ventured the deal would result in two major developments in the short-term: Liberty would direct effort into increasing the number of grands prix in the US, possibly to three (or even more) rounds, up from one (Austin) - with each of the country's two coasts gaining an event, plus possibly another event in the Midwest - and that a variation of the NFL franchise system would be introduced.
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