Strategy Group presence a "headache" for Force India's Fernley
Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley says being part of the Strategy Group is a “hassle” and a “headache” but he feels he has a moral responsibility to fight for Formula 1’s independent teams.
Robert Fernley, Sahara Force India F1 Team Deputy Team Principal
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Fernley, whose team has been part of the body since 2015 by virtue of its finishing position in the constructors’ championship, has long been critical of the group, at one point describing it as “not fit for purpose”.
Liberty Media’s new owners are believed to be keen to streamline F1’s governance procedure, which currently involves ideas being tabled at Strategy Group level, before going for approval at the F1 Commission and then sent to the World Motor Sport council for ratification.
The Strategy Group is made up of the FIA, the commercial rights holder FOM and six teams - Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, Williams, McLaren and Force India - with Fernley believing his team has the role of fight for the interests of the smaller, independent outfits not represented.
“From a personal point of view it's been a lot of hassle,” Fernley told Motorsport.com.
“It's our third year on the Strategy Group. I’ve taken a lot of flak over the past two-and-a-half to three years.
“From a moral responsibility point of view, we're the only team representing the independent teams, and somebody's got to stand up for what you think is right in Formula 1.”
Fernley also believes it is unfair that not all teams are involved in the group, given the significance of the items which are discussed there.
“I just feel that as much as it's an inconvenience and quite a headache for me personally, you have some responsibility to the team and your fellow competitors that aren't represented there - and that to me is still something that's totally wrong,” he said.
“I feel very strongly about it and I feel quite passionate about it as well.
“We do the things that we do and stand up and be counted, not just against the teams but obviously against the commercial rights holder and the FIA and whoever we feel is actually reducing the impact for the independent teams.”
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