The WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP exists since 1950, what about its origins and transformation? 'FORMULA' stands for a set of regulations that all competitors must comply with. From the beginning the governing body rules the sport, albeit the CSI (later FISA) initially was the delegated organiser. Before 1958, simply the highest scoring driver earned the WORLD CHAMPION title. Then, this award was up to grabs for the constructors as well. For the first 20 years only the best placed car per race contributed points. Also, until 1990 just the best results, an amount that varied through the years, were valid in the standings. Nowadays, each accomplishment of drivers and teams is valid.
The biggest dispute started midway through the 70s. Successful British-based became upset with recieving fractions of the starting money than the biggest name, Ferrari, collected. 'Il Commendatore' Enzo Ferrari used to name them and all other squads buying Ford Cosworth DFV engines 'garagisti', since they were not running their own horsepower. Here Bernie Ecclestone decisively steps in, having been involed as team manager during previous years. Now leading Brabham himself, he founds FOCA, the constructors association ready to fight against constructors like Ferrari and FISA, led by Jean-Marie Balestre with the aim of contrasting them. The ascence of expensive and more powerful turbocharged engines, together with FISA wanting to ban aerodynamic skirts that ultimately were an advantage for FOCA members, generated peak tensions. Ferrari, Renault and Alfa Romeo were developing turbos and recieved support from FISA. The first three seasons in the 80s were marked by multiple boycotts, the most notable one at the 1982 SAN MARINO GRAND PRIX, with 14 out of 30 cars participating. 'CONCORDE AGREEMENTS' followed and gradually solved the issues. These agreements are renewed for varying timespells and establish the sport's future.
Now, FOCA contrasted big constructors but Ecclestone handled the TV rights in a way that he actually was controlling the entire competition. With nobody transmitting the spectacle, teams would quickly disappear and there would be no racing anymore. Bernie Ecclestone handled the economic and technical debates cleverly and he not only benefitted personally from it, he shaped FORMULA 1 over the eras, stepping down his leading position less then a decade ago. Last but not least, the man who marked the pinnacle of motorsport had at taste at competing himself, though his qualifying attempt at the 1958 MONACO GRAND PRIX has not been his best performance in the sport...