Stefano Domenicali is reportedly upset at the distribution of Formula One revenue.
Stefano Domenicali is reportedly upset at the distribution of Formula One revenue.

Ferrari chief seeks cash injection



Stefano Domenicali, the Ferrari team principal, has urged Formula One's commercial rights holders CVC to start investing in the sport to guarantee his team's future interest.

The direction of F1 has hit the headlines this week, notably with Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation and investment giant Exor — which is run by the powerful Agnelli family — declaring an interest in forming a consortium that could lead to a takeover.

As part of the backdrop, discussions are due to begin in earnest on a new Concorde Agreement, the commercial arrangement which binds the teams, world governing body the FIA and CVC together.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has made clear in the past his unhappiness that CVC rake in half of F1's annual profits of around £600 million (Dh3.6 billion), yet do not invest.

It is understood Di Montezemolo, supported by the teams, will want a greater return from the future Concorde Agreement, otherwise the threat of a breakaway series could again return, as was the case in 2009 when discussions last took place.

The waters are further muddied by the fact the Agnellis have a 30 per cent stake in Fiat, which in turn runs Ferrari.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Domenicali said: "At the moment everything is calm, but soon something will happen.

"From the commercial point of view we need to clarify the following points: who will be involved in the talks?

"I mean which teams and constructors want to stay and which want to enter F1? And who is responsible for the show? A marketing partner is needed.

"It can be CVC once more, but it must invest in F1 and develop, and we must make sure our sport becomes interesting for young people.

"F1 must speak their language, use their technologies, internet, tablets, social forums, and remain comprehensible for the audience.

"F1 is interesting for Ferrari only if these points are taken into consideration, and we must avoid changing the rules too often.

"We need stability, on top of having grands prix in important countries for our sales, first of all in the USA."

In a statement in light of all the talk surrounding the Agnellis and Ferrari, the team have made it clear that stability is paramount.

"All we can do is repeat what has already been said so often in the past: Ferrari stresses the importance of ensuring the long term stability and development of Formula One."

UAE SQUAD

 Khalid Essa (Al Ain), Ali Khaseif (Al Jazira), Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah), Mahmoud Khamis (Al Nasr), Yousef Jaber (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai), Khalifa Al Hammadi (Jazira), Salem Rashid (Jazira), Shaheen Abdelrahman (Sharjah), Faris Juma (Al Wahda), Mohammed Shaker (Al Ain), Mohammed Barghash (Wahda), Abdulaziz Haikal (Shabab Al Ahli), Ahmed Barman (Al Ain), Khamis Esmail (Wahda), Khaled Bawazir (Sharjah), Majed Surour (Sharjah), Abdullah Ramadan (Jazira), Mohammed Al Attas (Jazira), Fabio De Lima (Al Wasl), Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Khalfan Mubarak (Jazira), Habib Fardan (Nasr), Khalil Ibrahim (Wahda), Ali Mabkhout (Jazira), Ali Saleh (Wasl), Caio (Al Ain), Sebastian Tagliabue (Nasr).

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Racecard

2pm Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m

2.30pm Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m

3pm Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m

3.30pm Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m

4pm Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m

4.30pm Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m

5pm Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m

5.30pm Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m

 

The National selections:

2pm Arch Gold

2.30pm Conclusion

3pm Al Battar

3.30pm Golden Jaguar

4pm Al Motayar

4.30pm Tapi Sioux

5pm Leadership

5.30pm Dahawi

MATCH INFO

What: India v Afghanistan, first Test
When: Starts Thursday
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengalaru

IF YOU GO
 
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
 
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info

 Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.