Formula One
in Valencia: Commentary
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August 29, 2008 |
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Motor racing and former sailing and America's Cup correspondent for the Times, Ed Gorman was in Valencia last week, with one eye over the F1 circuit and the other over the empty America's Cup bases. We spoke to him after the race. "I see this as a huge missed opportunity to showcase the America's Cup in a Formula One environment," he says. "There was absolutely no visible evidence of the Cup, not a single boat on show. All America's Cup presence has been obscured by the commercial control of the Formula One organization," Gorman comments. "I guess that's why Bernie Ecclestone is so successful: he controls everything." "The only visibility was on some aerial shots, where we could see the harbor and the bases. Some camera angles also showed the Luna Rossa, BMW Oracle Racing, Shosholoza and Alinghi bases briefly, but that's all. It would have been great to bring the two sports together." "I know that some teams wanted to benefit from the Grand Prix, but the Formula One management didn't allow this to happen. In fact, they wanted to hide all the logos and keep the two events apart. I guess they were probably quite happy with the current situation of the Cup: they didn't have to fight too hard." "I can't think of two sports that are closer than Formula One and the America's Cup," comments Ed Gorman. "Both are at the top end of technology, the human factor is essential; some even share the same sponsors. It's a great pity that they didn't find a way to get closer during this week-end." "Most journalists who follow Formula One know about the America's Cup. But they need some education and could have been told about the event's current situation. However, nothing has been done and they have left Valencia knowing no more about the Cup than they did when they arrived. It is the same for the pilots; as far as I know, they haven't been involved in anything to do with sailing and the America's Cup during their stay in Valencia. Really, it is a shame and a great missed opportunity." Sir Keith Mills, Bruno Troublé, Alessandra Pandarese, and Salvatore Sarno will discuss "The Future of the America's Cup After AC 32" during the World Yacht Racing Forum. -- Text ©2008 Bernard Schopfer/World Yacht Racing Forum The
World Yacht Racing Forum will be held December 10-11, 2008, in Monaco. |