Banuiala mea (si este o opinie strict personala) este ca RDS este interesata de Formula 1, dar nu este dispusa sa plateasca orice suma solicitata de FOM. Cu alte cuvinte, daca pot cumpara drepturile pentru o suma OK din punctul lor de vedere, le vor cumpara. Daca nu, nu.

Cred in ipoteza asta pentru ca acelasi lucru s-a intamplat si cu drepturile TV pentru Premier League, campionatul englez de fotbal. Au avut drepturile cateva sezoane, iar in 2013 au vrut sa prelungeasca, dar au renuntat pentru ca suma solicitata de britanici a fost prea mare.

Acum cateva luni am auzit ca si DolceSport ar fi interesata de Formula 1, dar ca bugetul alocat de Romtelecom pentru Marele Circ este semnificativ mai mic decat al lui DigiSport. Asa ca, daca nu va fi la DigiSport, probabil nu va fi nici la DolceSport.

Nu cred ca o televiziune privata va cumpara F1 (de exemplu, ProTV, Antena 1, Prima TV), pentru ca nu se justifica din punct de vedere financiar (veniturile din publicitate sunt mult mai mici decat costurile, mai ales ca trei sferturi din curse sunt la 15:00 sau dimineata, cand audientele sunt mici).

In concluzie, din punctul meu de vedere, situatia nu este deloc roz. Sunt sanse bune ca, daca nu va fi la DigiSport, F1 nu va fi deloc la TV in 2014 in Romania.

As only a forced winter pause finally stops Sebastian Vettel’s winning streak for now, the F1 grid is divided over whether the German is really the best.

He has won four world championships on the trot, and recently equalled famous records once set by statistical legends Michael Schumacher and Alberto Ascari.

Still, not all of his peers think the Red Bull driver is better than the 2013 runner-up, Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.

“They are both great drivers,” Vettel’s retiring teammate Mark Webber said, “but I can only say that I was really happy to be fighting against Fernando in my last race.”

Australian Webber, however, is famously friendly with the Spaniard.

Alonso’s Ferrari teammate for the past four years, Felipe Massa, is undecided.

“For me, they are both great,” the Brazilian told Spain’s AS sports newspaper, who in Brazil last weekend surveyed every driver on the grid for their opinion about Vettel versus Alonso.

“Vettel is the champion,” Massa added, “Fernando is considered the best. You want me to say one? I won’t do that.”

Others are less diplomatic. “I think that in that Red Bull, Alonso would win even more easily than Vettel does,” said Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.

Nico Rosberg added: “I don’t know if Alonso is the best, but he’s one of the best, no doubt. Better than Seb? Maybe.”

Alonso’s fellow Spanish speaker, Mexican Sergio Perez, answered: “Although this year has been all about Vettel, it is clear to me that Alonso is the best.”

Another Mexican, Esteban Gutierrez, added: “Alonso, yes, Alonso. He is still the best.”

McLaren driver Jenson Button is not so convinced: “I couldn’t say,” said the Briton.

“If I was a team boss … when I am a team boss I will show you who I would sign,” Button laughed.

Pastor Maldonado added: “I think Vettel is very good, for sure, but if I was a team I would have Alonso, of course, without a doubt.

“Fernando is a genius,” the Venezuelan said.

But Valtteri Bottas answered: “Um … that’s a difficult question. I think I would have them both!”

Caterham’s Giedo van der Garde and Marussia’s Max Chilton also answered: “Both.”

Heikki Kovalainen did not hesitate before naming his favourite: “Alonso.”

Romain Grosjean admitted: “That is a very difficult question and I couldn’t honestly answer it.”

Nico Hulkenberg agreed: “Impossible to say, impossible to know.”

Adrian Sutil added: “All I can say is that they are both very good, but I wouldn’t like to say one or the other (is best).”

But Paul di Resta admitted he is leaning in Alonso’s direction. “It’s hard to say, Vettel is the champion but Fernando … what can you say about Alonso that hasn’t already been said?”

Some drivers gave political answers.

“I have Spanish and German friends, so I don’t want to hurt anyone,” laughed Caterham’s Charles Pic.

“I think I will surprise you,” said Red Bull-owned Toro Rosso’s continuing driver Jean-Eric Vergne, “but I will say Vettel.”

“I admire Fernando,” said Daniel Ricciardo, who will be Vettel’s teammate in 2014, “but I’ll take Seb!”

Jules Bianchi smiled: “I stick with Alonso, but I can’t say anything else, as I work with Ferrari.