Yermilin: Liberty don't have the experience or ability Bernie had

The Formula One Promoters Association (FOPA) fired the first salvo in the battle by accusing Liberty of marginalising the race hosts and excluding from the decision-making process as they plot the way forward for the sport.

Carey has brushed off talk of dissent among the FOPA ranks, but his assurances did little to trigger rumours that Liberty are already looking to sell-up.

Yermilin told Sportbox.ru that he is not surprised by the turn of events, "This is a completely expected situation. The current leadership started the process of improving Formula 1 with much bravura, but it turned out to be more difficult than they expected."

"They have neither the experience nor the ability to finely control the process, as Bernie Ecclestone did. All the uncertainties that arise in such a situation somehow generate rumours. All loud the statements of Liberty Media are slowly being blown away and now we hear almost nothing from them."

"There is still no new technical regulation. The work with the Concord Agreement, which will expire soon, is not very clear. There are problems with the old, traditional promoters, who for decades have hosted the Grand Prix."

"As for the selling issue, it is very difficult to find a buyer who is ready to spend the amount that Americans would want so sell Formula 1."

"They need to compensate for the costs associated with the purchase of the series and the costs of recruitment. Of course, they need to sell it higher than they bought, but there is hardly a buyer who is ready to do that," added Yermilin.

On the opposite side of the Russian coin, the country's Grand Prix promoter Sergey Vorobyev is confident that Liberty are heading in the right direction and addressing issues as they arise, albeit out of the media limelight.

https://www.grandprix247.com/2019/01/29/from-russia-with-love-for-under-fire-liberty-media/