The Formula 1 revolution in 1981

The main actors here are the people: sometimes they are loyal and willing to compromise, but more often they are tough individuals who have no intention of accepting a reality that is unsatisfactory to them.

Any scandal in Formula 1 plays in favour of motorsport fans. The balance of power changes, and the intrigue in the championship becomes even stronger. In addition, today any online casino aus raises the odds on the race if something unusual happens in the championship. This helps Formula 1 fans win big prise money, but they should spend no more than a few dollars on gambling.

In 1980, the world of Formula 1 was engulfed in conflicts, with the International Federation of Motor Sport (FISA) and the Formula 1 Constructors Association (FOCA) being the main players. The president of FOCA at the time was Bernie Ecclestone, the man who later became the "owner" of Formula One and brought the sport to Russia.

His opponent was Jean-Marie Balestre, the head of FISA, who at the time held a key position in motorsport. This conflict is considered a landmark not only for Formula One, but for the entire world of motorsport, as 1981 would usher in a new era of commercial rights and broadcasting that we know today.

In November 1980, Bernie Ecclestone, on behalf of FOCA, announced the creation of a new championship under the auspices of the World Federation of Motor Sport (WFMS) to provide an alternative to Formula One. Balestre's reaction was immediate: he issued a decree banning all FISA member federations from participating in this championship, threatening to revoke the right to hold F1 races in their countries.

The F1 teams are divided into two camps. Ligier, Osella, and Toleman remain loyal to FISA, but the remaining teams align themselves with Bernie Ecclestone. And so the opening race of 1981, the Argentine Grand Prix, is threatened with a boycott.

There was a looming split that promised to fundamentally change the face of Formula 1. However, financial aspects intervened: all the official media and broadcasting organisations began to panic because of the chaos that reigned in the F1 world in 1981 and refused to cover Royal Motorsport en masse.

What's more, some sponsors were also prepared to leave the sport. The collapse seemed inevitable when Enzo Ferrari, for whom F1 remained the meaning of life, gathered around the negotiating table, still alive at the time. On January 19, 1981, representatives of all the teams met at the Maranello base, along with Bernie Ecclestone and Jean-Marie Balestre.

The meeting lasted an amazing 13 hours, and as a result, FISA and FOCA declared a temporary truce. A month and a half later, the first treaty of agreement in the history of Royal Motorsport was signed! At that moment, the name "Formula 1" was finally established, and the foundations of modern motorsport were laid. The rules of the individual standings and the Constructors' Cup were systematised.

However, Bernie's main achievement was that he was able to take away the commercial rights from FISA, stating that his goal was to protect the interests of constructors. From that point on, FISA, and in the future, the FIA, could no longer interfere in the commercial affairs of Formula One, which remains the case to this day.

Ironically, the teams perceived Bernie as their "protector" and supported all his initiatives, believing that the British businessman was striving for a bright future for all constructors, both ordinary and more famous.

Formal sporting power still remained with FISA, but FOCA now took over negotiations with race organisers and TV broadcasts. In addition, FOCA began to manage the distribution of finances within Formula One. Bernie has completely centred the 'golden chicken' in his hands. Only in 2017, after 36 years, he sold F1 to the American conglomerate Liberty Media, leaving the F1 captain's bridge.