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Fighting

Sorry about yesterday, my software would not let me in.

The FIA is continuing its nonsense about the Bahrain GP, promising to "respect" the May 1st deadline for a new date to be decided. There are people dying in the streets or had they not noticed? How can you condone even contemplating staging a race there.

Bernie has also come out fighting, but only verbally. He has come out against the 2013 engine rules as not being what the spectators want. Nice of him to care, I had not noticed that we were high on his agenda before. He says that talking to the businessmen he meets, he would hardly talk to one of us, noise and Ferrari are the two things they want. Ferrari are of course the most outspoken of the teams, "Not Formula One" is Montezemolo's comment. So the businessmen are afraid that Ferrari will not participate if the engine rules are not changed. But as Joe Saward said in his blog today, the deal is done. Also from my memory the 1.5 liter turbos were louder than the current cars. But as I have said, this is back to the future stuff, hardly cutting edge and "green."

Bernie is also fighting back about the Gribkowsky bribery case, offering to go to Germany to assist the investigation, but only if they promise to let him out again. However this turns out you have to admire Bernie, he can make money coming and going. He sells his shares and eventually gets a "Finders Fee" of $61m for helping the poor bank that is now stuck with the shares to find a new buyer in the form of CVC.

Continuing the money theme, there are reports today that the Belgian F1 GP is saved by Shell buying the sponsorship for the race. Now it is my understanding that signage and sponsorship are Bernie's, if not all then a fair chunk, so how does Shell tipping money in help Spa? Maybe Bernie will cut his fee by this amount? Nah, can't see that can you?

Australia in the shape of Melbourne are vowing to be tough with Bernie over the cost of the next contract. The Major Events Minister says they want the race, "but we're not going to be bunnies in contractual negotiations." Lambs to the slaughter I would say, and Easter is coming.

Over at Superbike Planet the AMA has issued a lengthy press release to explain the debacle at Daytona. After reading it I for one think it sounds even more of a circus.

Sebring officially kicks off today, and we can all watch qualifying tomorrow via ESPN3.com.

Happy St Patrick's Day everyone.

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