Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsFormula 1

Big mistake to compare F1 and Formula E - Todt

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FIA President Jean Todt visited London's Battersea Park this weekend to witness the last couple of rounds of the burgeoning Formula E series whose drivers' title will be decided in Sunday's finale.

The heavily promoted event attracted perhaps its biggest crowd of the year and a fair amount of celebrities and motorsport personalities curious of the all-electric series.

While Formula E is still in its nascent state and has yet to prove its sustainability on a commercial level, some observers believe electric racing provides a clear blueprint for the future.

British entrepreneur and Formula E team owner Richard Branson, who announced a technical partnership this weekend between Virgin Racing and Citroen's DS brand, claims the series has the potential to overtake the popularity of F1 in the next five.

"Four or five years from now you'll find Formula E overtaking F1 as far as number of people, " Branson boldly said. "As time goes on clean-energy businesses are going to power ahead of others."

But Jean Todt was quick to warn that any comparisons between the two categories of racing was an error, and that each had their distinct characteristics.

"It is a big mistake to compare," said the FIA President. "It's two different things. It's like comparing London to a city on the beach... I really feel you need F1, which remains the pinnacle of motorsport, and you need Formula E, sports-car racing and rallying, Touring Cars and Formula 3."

Click here for FIA President Jean Todt's thoughts on the current state of F1

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.