View source for Formula One Group

{{Short description|Motorsports company}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Formula One Group
| logo = F1 (registered trademark).svg
| logo_caption = 
| image = 
| image_caption = 
| trading_name = <!-- d/b/a/, doing business as - if different from legal name above -->
| native_name = <!-- Company's name in home country language -->
| native_name_lang = <!-- Use ISO 639-1 code, e.g. "fr" for French. If there is more than one native name, in different languages, enter those names using {{tl|lang}}, instead. -->
| romanized_name = 
| former_name = Formula One Constructors Association
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| traded_as = {{Nowrap|{{NASDAQ|FWONA}} (Series A)<br>{{OTCQB|FWONB}} (Series B)<br>{{NASDAQ|FWONK}} (Series C)<br>{{FWB|LM0D}} (Series A)<br>{{FWB|LM0F}} (Series C)<br>[[Russell 1000]] components (FWONA, FWONK)}}
| ISIN = {{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|US5312298707}}<br>{{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|US5312298541}}<br>{{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|US5312297717}}<br>{{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|US5312297550}}
| industry = [[Motorsport]]
| genre = <!-- Only used with media and publishing companies -->
| fate = 
| predecessor = 
| successor = 
| foundation = 
| founder = [[Bernie Ecclestone]]
| defunct = <!-- {{End date|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| location_city = 2 St. James's Market, [[London]], U.K.
| locations = 
| area_served = Globally
| key_people = {{ubl
 | [[Stefano Domenicali]] <br/>{{small|(President and Chief Executive Officer)}}
 | [[Chase Carey]] <br/>{{small|(Non-executive Chairman)}}
 }}
| products = 
| brands = [[Formula 1]]<br>[[Formula One Paddock Club]]
| production = 
| services = 
| revenue = 
| operating_income = 
| net_income = 
| aum = <!-- Only used with financial services companies -->
| assets = 
| equity = 
| owner = [[Liberty Media]]
| num_employees = 
| divisions = 
| subsid = [[Dorna Sports|Dorna Sports, S.L.]] (86%) (Pending)<br>Formula One World Championship Limited<br>Formula One Promotions and Administration <br>Formula One Management (FOM)
| footnotes = 
| intl = 
| location_country = 
| homepage = 
| bodystyle = 
}}{{Formula One|orgs}}
The '''Formula One Group''' is a group of companies responsible for the [[Promotion (marketing)|promotion]] of the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] [[Formula One]] World Championship, and the exercising of the sport's commercial rights.<ref>{{cite web|title=Merger Procedure Article 6(1)(b) Decision|url=http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/decisions/m4066_20060320_20212_en.pdf|publisher=[[European Commission]]|date=20 March 2006|access-date=20 February 2011}}</ref>

The Group was previously owned by Delta Topco, a [[Jersey]]-based company owned primarily by investment companies [[CVC Capital Partners]], [[Waddell & Reed]], and [[Lehman Brothers|LBI Group]], with the remaining ownership split between [[Bernie Ecclestone]], other investment companies, and company directors. It was bought by [[Liberty Media]] in 2017.<ref name="CEO">{{cite web | title=Bernie Ecclestone removed as Liberty Media completes $8bn takeover | work=[[BBC Sport]] | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38723001 | date=23 January 2017 | access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref>

Ecclestone, a former Formula One team boss, spent 40 years as chief executive of the company after gaining control of the commercial rights. {{As of|2021|1}}, the group is run by [[Stefano Domenicali]] as president and chief executive officer. [[Chase Carey]], who previously ran the group from 2017 to 2020, is non-executive chairman.<ref name=senior>{{cite web |url=https://corp.formula1.com/team/ |title=Senior Management |date=January 2021 |website=corp.formula1.com|publisher= |access-date=2021-01-08 |quote=}}</ref>

==History==
In 1974, the [[Formula One Constructors' Association]] (FOCA) was founded in order to increase commercial organisation of Formula One for the benefit of the racing teams. In 1978, Bernie Ecclestone became the executive of FOCA, and fought the [[Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile]] (FISA) [[FISA–FOCA war|for control of the commercial rights of F1]]. Disputes were settled by March 1981 when the [[Concorde Agreement]] gave FOCA the right to negotiate TV contracts. Under previous arrangements, TV contracts were risky and not very lucrative.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Buckton|first1=Christopher|title=As he faces ransom demands from mother-in-law's abductors, who is Bernie Ecclestone?|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/faces-ransom-demands-mother-laws-8499533|website=Mirror.co.uk|date=26 July 2016 |access-date=5 December 2016}}</ref>

When the second Concorde Agreement was agreed in 1987, Ecclestone ceased being a team owner and established '''Formula One Promotions and Administration (FOPA)''' to manage TV rights for the teams. FOPA would later become known as '''Formula One Management (FOM)'''. FOPA received 49% of TV revenues: 1% went to the teams, and 50% to the FIA. FOPA also received all the fees paid by promoters and paid prize money to the teams. The third Concorde Agreement was signed in 1992.

When the fourth Concorde Agreement was signed in 1995, the FIA decided to grant the commercial rights of F1 to Formula One Administration (managed by FOM) for a 14-year period. In exchange, Ecclestone would provide an annual payment. With FOM having exclusive rights to popular team names like [[McLaren]], [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]], and [[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]], the aforementioned teams protested by rejecting the following Concorde Agreement in 1997. A compromise was reached and a new Concorde Agreement was signed by all teams in 1998.

McLaren, Williams, [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] and [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] formed GPWC Holdings, and threatened to form a rival racing franchise in 2008 when their contracts ended in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/gpwc-appoints-consultants-5067396/5067396/|title=GPWC Appoints Consultants|date=26 October 2004|access-date=8 August 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808113525/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/gpwc-appoints-consultants-5067396/5067396/|archive-date=8 August 2024|url-status=live|agency=[[Reuters]]|via=[[Autosport]]}}</ref>

===Ecclestone sells shares of F1===
SLEC Holdings was created as the holding company of the Formula One companies in 1996 when Ecclestone transferred his ownership of Formula One businesses to his wife, [[Slavica Ecclestone|Slavica]], in preparation for a 1997 [[flotation (shares)|flotation]] of the group.<ref>{{cite news|first=John|last=Griffiths|author2=Harris, Clay|author3=Harverson, Patrick|title=Ecclestone juggles ahead of flotation; Complex asset deals leave wife with control of up to 40 per cent of motor racing empire|work=[[Financial Times]]|date=7 June 1997}}</ref>

In June 1999, the [[European Commission]] announced it would investigate the FIA, Formula One Administration (FOA) and [[International Sportsworld Communicators]] for abusing dominant position and restricting competition.<ref>[https://www.irishtimes.com/business/brussels-accuses-f1-motor-racing-of-abusing-its-dominant-position-1.201398 Brussels accuses F1 motor racing of abusing its dominant position] - The Irish Times, 30 June 1999</ref> ISC, owned by Ecclestone, had signed a 14-year agreement with the FIA in 1996 for the exclusive broadcasting rights for 18 FIA championships.

In October 1999, [[Morgan Grenfell Private Equity]] (MGPE) acquired 12.5% of SLEC for £234&nbsp;million.<ref name=slectimes>{{cite news|first=Rupert|last=Steiner|title=Ecclestone sells £625m F1 stake|work=[[Sunday Times]]|publisher=[[Times Newspapers]]|date=20 February 2000}}</ref> In February 2000, [[Hellman and Friedman]] purchased a 37.5% share of SLEC for £625&nbsp;million, and combined its share with that of MGPE to form Speed Investments, which had a combined holding of 50% of SLEC.<ref name=slectimes/><ref name="GP.com Kirch">{{cite web|title=The end of Kirch...|url=http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns06460.html|publisher=Grandprix.com|date=13 June 2002|access-date=20 October 2010}}</ref> On 22 March 2000, German media company [[EM.TV|EM.TV & Merchandising]] purchased Speed Investments for £1.1&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web|title=Muppet owners buy Formula One|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/686941.stm|publisher=[[BBC News]]|work=[[BBC]]|date=22 March 2000|access-date=20 February 2011}}</ref>

EM.TV's acquisitions caused it financial difficulties; following its announcement that its 2000 earnings would be below expectations and it was struggling with its debts, the share price dropped 90%.<ref>{{cite news|title=EM.TC Rescue Package Agreed|newspaper=[[The Scotsman]]|date=16 February 2001}}</ref> In February, the [[Kirch Group]] agreed to rescue EM.TV in return for a stake in the company and control of Speed Investments.<ref name="GP.com Kirch"/> [[Alan Henry]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that the two companies also agreed to exercise EM.TV's option to purchase another 25% of SLEC for approximately £600&nbsp;million in late-March 2001.<ref>{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Henry|title=Formula One faces rebellion from car makers|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=5 April 2001}}</ref> To raise Speed Investments' share of SLEC to 75% Kirch borrowed €1.6&nbsp;billion, €1&nbsp;billion from [[BayernLB|Bayerische Landesbank]] (BayernLB) and the rest from [[Lehman Brothers]] and [[JPMorgan Chase]].<ref name="BT Singapore">{{cite news|first=Heike|last=Hientzsch|title=What do Formula One's owners want?; The banks who are stakeholders must reach a pact with the teams for good of the sport, says Heike Hientzsch|work=The Business Times Singapore|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=28 September 2002}}</ref> Kirch's involvement raised concerns among the major automobile manufacturers who participate in Formula One; [[BMW]], [[DaimlerChrysler]], [[Fiat]], [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], and [[Renault]] formed GPWC Holding BV to secure better representation of the manufacturers in F1, improved financial conditions for the teams, stability for the championship, and maintenance of free-to-air television coverage.<ref name="BT Singapore"/>

Due to the agreement associated with their shareholding, SLEC was controlled by Kirch, who controlled the board of [[Formula One Holdings]] (FOH). Due to huge losses and massive expenditure, Kirch's creditors put the company into [[receivership]] in 2002. These banks dismantled the group. Kirch's share of SLEC was retained by BayernLB, JPMorgan Chase and Lehman Brothers (through Speed Investments).

Before they could exercise their rights as shareholders, they had to seek clearance from the [[European Commission]]. In the intervening period, Ecclestone instituted changes in the boards of SLEC, FOH, FOA and Formula One Management (FOM); which in effect put [[Bambino Holdings]] in control of those companies.

In mid-November 2004, the three banks sued Ecclestone for more control over the sport, prompting speculation that Ecclestone might altogether lose the control he has maintained for then more than thirty years. A two-day court hearing began on 23 November, but after the proceedings had ended the following day, Justice Andrew Park announced his intention to reserve ruling for several weeks. On 6 December 2004, Park read his verdict, stating that "In [his] judgment it is clear that Speed's contentions are correct and [he] should therefore make the declarations which it requests".<ref>{{cite web|title=Legal blow for Ecclestone|url=http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=31709|work=ITV-F1.com|publisher=[[ITV plc]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041207084956/http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=31709|date=6 December 2004|archive-date=7 December 2004|access-date=20 February 2011}}</ref> However, Ecclestone insisted that the verdict - seen almost universally as a legal blow to his control of Formula One - would mean "nothing at all". He stated his intention to appeal the decision.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bernie Defiant|url=http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=31710|work=ITV-F1.com|publisher=[[ITV plc]]|date=6 December 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041207100259/http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=31710|archive-date=7 December 2004|access-date=20 February 2011}}</ref>

The following day, at a meeting of team bosses at [[Heathrow Airport]], Ecclestone offered the teams a total of £260&nbsp;million over three years in return for unanimous renewal of the [[Concorde Agreement]], which was due to expire in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bernie offers £260m payday|url=http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=31718|work=ITV-F1.com|publisher=[[ITV plc]]|date=7 December 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041207213036/http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=31718|archive-date=7 December 2004 |access-date=19 February 2011}}</ref> Weeks later, Gerhard Gribkowsky, a board member of BayernLB, and the chairman of SLEC, stated that the banks had no intention to remove Ecclestone from his position of control.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ecclestone to remain in charge|url=http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=31793|work=ITV-F1.com|publisher=[[ITV plc]]|date=24 December 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041224010616/http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=31793|archive-date=24 December 2004 |access-date=20 February 2011}}</ref>

===CVC acquisition===
In November 2005, [[CVC Capital Partners]] announced it was to acquire the 25% and 48% shares of Bambino and BayernLB in SLEC, and acquired the shares of JPMorgan Chase in December 2005. This deal was given approval by the [[European Commission]] on 21 March 2006 and finalised on 28 March.<ref>{{cite web|title=Case No COMP/M.4066 - CVC / SLEC|url=http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/decisions/m4066_20060320_20212_en.pdf|work=REGULATION (EC) No 139/2004 MERGER PROCEDURE: Article 6(2) NON-OPPOSITION|date=20 March 2006|publisher=The European Commission (In electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32006M4066)|access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mergers<nowiki>:</nowiki> Commission clears planned acquisition of Formula One owner SLEC by CVC, subject to conditions|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-06-342_en.pdf|work=Press Release IP/06/342|date=21 March 2006|publisher=The European Commission|access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|title=CVC gets EU approval; must sell MotoGP|url=http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/50305|work=[[Autosport]]|date=21 March 2006|publisher=Haymarket Publications|access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=CVC completes F1 acquisition|url=http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/50481|work=[[Autosport]]|date=28 March 2006|publisher=Haymarket Publications|access-date=13 June 2019|archive-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226064635/http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/50481|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Olson|first=Parmy|title=CVC Gets into Gear With Ecclestone's F1 Stake|url=https://www.forbes.com/2006/03/28/ecclestone-formula-one-cx_po_0328autofacescan04.html#3b21797f50c7|date=28 March 2006|work=Forbes Magazine|access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref> Ecclestone used the proceeds of the sale of Bambino Holdings' share to reinvest in the company to give the Ecclestone family a 13.8% stake in the holding company Alpha Prema.<ref>{{cite web|title=CVC confirms F1 buy-out|url=http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=35387|work=ITV-F1.com|publisher=[[ITV plc]]|date=29 March 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311183156/http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=35387|archive-date=11 March 2007 |access-date=20 February 2011}}</ref><ref name="Float 10">{{cite web|last1=Sylt|first1=Christian|last2=Reid|first2=Caroline|title=Ecclestone backtracks over F1 flotation|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ab536088-e533-11df-8e0d-00144feabdc0.html|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211231251/https://www.ft.com/content/ab536088-e533-11df-8e0d-00144feabdc0|archive-date=11 December 2022|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|work=[[Financial Times]]|date=31 October 2010|access-date=29 April 2013}}</ref> On 30 March 2006, CVC purchased the 14.1% share of SLEC held by Lehman Brothers to give CVC a majority ownership in the Formula One Group with 63.4%,<ref name="Float 10"/> with other shareholdings owned by LBI Group, JP Morgan, and company directors.<ref>{{cite web|last=Saward|first=Joe|title=The reality… as was|url=http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/the-reality-as-was/|work=Joe Saward's Grand Prix blog|date=24 May 2012|access-date=29 April 2013}}</ref> The deputy team principal of [[Force India]], [[Robert Fernley|Bob Fernley]], accused CVC of "raping the sport" during the period of its involvement in Formula One.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/sep/10/cvc-ownership-f1-warning-premiership-rugby-union|title=CVC ownership of F1 should serve as a warning to Premiership Rugby|website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date=2018-09-10}}</ref>

The Formula One Group planned an [[initial public offering]] on the [[Singapore Stock Exchange]] in June 2012, valuing the company at $10&nbsp;billion.<ref name="Float 12">{{cite news|title=F1 flotation boosted by £4.4bn 'guarantee'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/9233613/F1-flotation-boosted-by-4.4bn-guarantee.html|work=[[Daily Telegraph]]|date=28 April 2012|access-date=29 April 2013}}</ref> Up to 30% of the company would be listed, with most of the stock coming from the shareholding owned by the creditors of the bankrupt Lehman Brothers.<ref name="Float 12"/> However, the flotation was delayed until October 2012, with Ecclestone citing volatile markets and problems in the [[Eurozone]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Neville|first=Simon|title=Bernie Ecclestone signals delay to F1 flotation as another Asian IPO fails|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/may/31/bernie-ecclestone-delay-formula-one-flotation|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=31 May 2012|access-date=29 April 2013}}</ref> CVC sold part of its stake in the company to three investment companies: [[Waddell & Reed]], [[BlackRock]] and [[Norges Bank]]; reducing its holding to 35.5%, and making Waddell & Reed the second-biggest shareholder.<ref name="IPO hold">{{cite web|last=Blitz|first=Roger|title=Formula One left floating as IPO on hold|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9c1c1dda-c466-11e1-a98c-00144feabdc0.html|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211231203/https://www.ft.com/content/9c1c1dda-c466-11e1-a98c-00144feabdc0|archive-date=11 December 2022|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|work=[[Financial Times]]|date=20 July 2012|access-date=29 April 2013}}</ref> The planned flotation was kept on hold throughout 2012,<ref name="IPO hold"/> until it was revived in April 2013 when Ecclestone announced it would take place within the year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sylt|first=Christian|title=F1 shakes up prize money and prepares for £6.5bn float|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/10023977/F1-shakes-up-prize-money-and-prepares-for-6.5bn-float.html|work=[[Daily Telegraph]]|date=28 April 2013|access-date=29 April 2013}}</ref>

===Liberty acquisition===
In late 2016, [[Liberty Media]] agreed to buy controlling interest in the Formula One Group for $4.4&nbsp;billion (£3.3&nbsp;billion).<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37303230 |title= US media firm Liberty Media to buy Formula 1 |date= 7 September 2016 }}</ref> The deal was approved by regulators and completed on 23 January 2017.<ref name="CEO"/> [[Chase Carey]] subsequently became chief executive of the Group and [[Ross Brawn]] was appointed to the newly created role of managing director, Motor Sports and technical director. In September 2020, it was announced that former Ferrari team boss [[Stefano Domenicali]] would become the new chief executive of the Formula One Group.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/amp/formula1/54259817 |title= Stefano Domenicali: Ex-Ferrari boss to head Formula 1 |date= 22 September 2020 }}</ref> On 28 November 2022 Ross Brawn confirmed he was retiring from F1.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ross Brawn on a stellar 2022 season, pride at seeing F1 'as strong as it's ever been' and his next chapter {{!}} Formula 1® |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.ross-brawn-on-a-stellar-2022-season-pride-at-seeing-f1-as-strong-as-its-ever.43dwj2yDBu3Yat85cwz4qL.html |access-date=2022-11-28 |website=www.formula1.com |language=en}}</ref>

The Formula One Group is listed in the [[Nasdaq]] as a [[tracking stock]] under the ticker FWONA and FWONK.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/2017/01/29/exclusive-formula-one-group-doesnt-own-f1s-commercial-rights/ Exclusive: Formula One Group Doesn't Own F1's Commercial Rights] - Christian Sylt, Forbes, 29 January 2017</ref>

== Group companies ==
The Formula One Group was controlled by its shareholders through the '''Delta Topco''' [[holding company]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sylt|first1=Christian|last2=Reid|first2=Caroline|title=F1 debt is $3bn but returns are so good, hedge funds want in|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/f1-debt-is-3bn-but-returns-are-so-good-hedge-funds-want-in-460297.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509021811/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/f1-debt-is-3bn-but-returns-are-so-good-hedge-funds-want-in-460297.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 May 2008|work=[[The Independent]]|publisher=Independent Print|date=5 August 2007|access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref><ref name=F1St>{{cite web|last=Saward|first=Joe|title=News Corporation and Exor bid for F1|url=http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/05/03/news-corporation-and-exor-bid-for-f1/|work=Joe Saward's Grand Prix Blog|date=6 April 2011|access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> which through a number of holding companies registered in the [[United Kingdom]], [[Jersey]] and [[Luxembourg]] controls the '''SLEC Holdings''' company, the Formula One Group's immediate owner.<ref name=Numbers>{{cite web|last=Saward|first=Joe|title=Some numbers from the F1 world|url=http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/some-numbers-from-the-f1-world/|work=Joe Sawards Grand Prix Blog|date=3 May 2011|access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> The Formula One Group comprises several [[Subsidiary company|subsidiary companies]] which control the various rights, management, and licensing operations of the Formula One World Championship.<ref name=Restr>{{cite web|title=Bernie restructures|url=http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns01013.html|publisher=Grandprix.com|date=17 March 1997|access-date=11 May 2011}}</ref>

The commercial rights of [[Formula One]] are controlled by '''Formula One World Championship Limited (FOWC)''', which received the rights to Formula One for a period of 100 years from the FIA.<ref name=Numbers/><ref>{{cite web|title=F1 commits to terrestrial TV|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/1295708.stm|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=25 April 2001|access-date=12 June 2011}}</ref> Formula One World Championship's control of the rights began from the beginning of 2011,<ref name=Numbers/> where it took over from sister company '''Formula One Administration (FOA)''', which controlled the rights for a 14-year period beginning in 1996.<ref name=Restr/> FOWC, as the commercial rights holder, negotiates the contracts for holding [[Formula One|F1 Grands Prix]], organising television contracts with broadcasters, and receiving licensing fees for use of Formula One material. The company also has a seat on the [[FIA World Motor Sport Council]], the body responsible for regulating international motorsport.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Motor Sport Council|url=http://fia.com/en-GB/the-fia/governance/Pages/wmsc.aspx|work=[[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]]|publisher=FIA.com|access-date=11 June 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003154716/http://fia.com/en-GB/the-fia/governance/Pages/wmsc.aspx|archive-date=3 October 2011}}</ref> '''Formula One Licensing BV''' is a related Dutch registered company of the Formula One Group which claims ownership of the trademarks of Formula One; the F1 logo, "Formula 1", "Formula One", "F1" and the "Sweeping Curves device" shown before Grands Prix.<ref>{{cite web|title=Legal Notices|url=http://www.formula1.com/termsandconditions.html|work=Formula1.com|publisher=Formula One World Championship|access-date=29 April 2013}}</ref>

'''Formula One Management''' ('''FOM''') is the main operating company of the group,<ref name=Reshuffle>{{cite web|title=Bernie's company reshuffle|url=http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns02040.html|publisher=Grandprix.com|access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> and controls the broadcasting, organisation and promotional rights of Formula One.<ref name=GPGP>{{cite news|title=Grand prix, grand prizes|url=http://www.economist.com/node/6012?story_id=6012|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=13 July 2000|access-date=12 June 2011}}</ref> The company produces the televised feeds of all Grand Prix sessions, which are then supplied through the [[Eurovision (network)|Eurovision]] satellites network ([[EBU]]) to broadcasters who provide commentary and distribute the feed in the authorised region(s) of said broadcasters.  The production arm of FOM is based at [[Biggin Hill Airport]], [[London]], for easy travel of the equipment needed to broadcast the race.<ref>{{cite web|title=Companies at Biggin Hill|url=http://www.bigginhillairport.com/companies-at-biggin-hill|work=Biggin Hill Airport|access-date=11 June 2011|archive-date=21 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121094522/http://www.bigginhillairport.com/companies-at-biggin-hill|url-status=dead}}</ref> Financially, FOM provides partial investment for new tracks and teams, to allow them to establish themselves in the sport and grow Formula One's presence in new markets.<ref name=Reshuffle/><ref>{{cite news|title=New teams to get financial support|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74950|last=Straw|first=Edd|work=Autosport.com|publisher=[[Haymarket Group|Haymarket Publications]]|date=30 April 2009|access-date=10 June 2011}}</ref> The season calendar for the championship is structured by FOM, with the WMSC having oversight.  Payments to the teams are determined by the [[Concorde Agreement]], which gives the teams 50% of the television money in Constructors' Championship order, and awards a prize fund to teams based upon their results, which is drawn from the fees Grand Prix promoters pay for staging the race.<ref name=Reshuffle/><ref name=GPGP/> The logistics of moving equipment and personnel from each race is also handled by FOM, which provides the teams with a set amount of transport for the races outside of Europe.<ref name=GPGP/>

The Formula One Group is also used to refer to several related companies, which although not part of the Group, are controlled by the Delta Topco holding company, and have business related to Formula One.

=== Allsport Management ===
Allsport Management S.A. is a Swiss registered company based in [[Geneva]], which manages the sale of almost all [[Formula One]] trackside advertising, and the [[Formula One Paddock Club]]. Allsport Management was founded by [[Paddy McNally]], who had begun to work with Bernie Ecclestone in the late 1970s. McNally, who was a former [[Marlboro (cigarette)|Marlboro]] sponsorship consultant, came up with a solution to "tidy up" trackside advertising; this solution was called "themed advertising", where one advertiser is given total exposure at one part of the track.<ref name="Paddock Club">{{cite web |last=Saward |first=Joe |date=4 January 2000 |title=The Paddock Club |url=http://www.grandprix.com/ft/ft00351.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106202354/http://www.grandprix.com/ft/ft00351.html |archive-date=6 November 2011 |access-date=18 October 2006 |publisher=GrandPrix.com}}</ref> This is in contrast to the [[Monaco Grand Prix]], the only grand prix where Allsport is not involved; where space is sold such that multiple advertisers are visible in every picture.<ref name="Paddock Club" /> The Paddock Club is Formula One's corporate hospitality organisation, which provides a luxury area for VIP's and sponsors for the Grand Prix weekend, and also gives access to teams and drivers and tours of the pits.<ref name="Paddock Club" /> In 2006, Allsport Management (and the related Allsopp Parker & Marsh companies) were acquired by CVC through Delta Topco,<ref>{{cite press release |title=Formula One acquires APM and Allsport Management |publisher=[[CVC Capital Partners]] |date=31 March 2006 |url=http://www.cvc.com/docs/Press%20Release%20Formula%20One%20acquires%20APM%20and%20Allsport%20Management%20.pdf |access-date=18 October 2006 |archive-date=30 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070330092101/http://www.cvc.com/docs/Press%20Release%20Formula%20One%20acquires%20APM%20and%20Allsport%20Management%20.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> meaning that the sport's complete revenues are controlled by the Formula One Group.<ref name="F1St" /><ref>{{cite web |date=1 April 2006 |title=CVC buys Allsport |url=http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns16627.html |access-date=18 October 2006 |publisher=GrandPrix.com}}</ref> After the acquisition, Ecclestone stated "APM and Allsport Management have been developed into highly successful businesses over the last 25 years and we are delighted that each of them will now form part of the Formula One Group".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rights holders CVC buy further into Formula One |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/rights-holders-cvc-buy-further-into-formula-one.58195 |access-date=2023-02-22 |website=Times of Malta |date=2 April 2006 |language=en-gb}}</ref>

===  Formula Motorsport Limited ===
Formula Motorsport Limited (formerly GP2 Motorsport Limited) was acquired by CVC in 2007, with its ownership controlled by Formula One's holding companies.<ref name="F1St" /><ref>{{cite news|first=Caroline|last=Reid|author2=Sylt, Christian|title=CVC takes wheel with GP2|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/10/19/cncvc119.xml|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=19 October 2007|access-date=29 October 2007 }}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> FML currently runs various Formula One feeder series, which usually run races at the European rounds of the F1 championship, in order to give drivers experience and exposure to Formula One teams.

Series currently run by FML are:
{| class="wikitable"
! Series Name
! Description
! Year Founded
|-
| '''[[FIA Formula 2 Championship]]'''
| A second-tier [[single-seater]] championship supporting Formula One at specific races across the F1 season - succeeding the former [[GP2 Series]] 
| [[2017 Formula 2 Championship|2017]]
|-
| '''[[FIA Formula 3 Championship]]'''
| A third-tier [[single-seater]] championship supporting Formula One at specific races across the F1 season - succeeding the former [[GP3 Series]] 
| [[2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship|2019]]
|-
| '''[[F1 Academy]]'''
| An all-female [[single-seater]] championship supporting Formula One at specific races across the F1 season 
| [[2023 F1 Academy season|2023]]
|-

|}

Dormant series previously run by FML are:
{| class="wikitable"
! Series Name
! Description
! Year Founded
! Year Finished
|-
| '''[[GP2 Series]]'''
| A second-tier [[single-seater]] championship supporting Formula One at specific races across the F1 season
| [[2005 GP2 Series|2005]]
| [[2016 GP2 Series|2016]]
|-
| '''[[GP2 Asia Series]]'''
| A second-tier [[single-seater]] championship supporting Formula One at specific Asian-based races across the F1 season
| [[2008 GP2 Asia Series|2008]]
| [[2011 GP2 Asia Series|2011]]
|-
| '''[[GP3 Series]]'''
| A third-tier [[single-seater]] championship supporting Formula One at specific races across the F1 season
| [[2010 GP3 Series|2010]]
| [[2018 GP3 Series|2018]]
|-

|}

The Formula One Group also owns the rights to the "GP1" name.<ref>http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns15388.html grandprix.com August 11, 2005</ref>

==References==
{{Portal|Formula One}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Liberty Media}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Formula One]]
[[Category:Companies based in London]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Nasdaq]]
[[Category:Private equity portfolio companies]]
[[Category:Sports event promotion companies]]
[[Category:Sports management companies]]
[[Category:Liberty Media subsidiaries]]
[[Category:CVC Capital Partners companies]]