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For Toto Wolff, 2018 is judgment year for Liberty

Some fifteen after taking over Formula 1, Liberty Media continues to implement its vision, but 2018 will prove critical for F1's commercial rights holder says Toto Wolff.

Teams awarded Liberty with a "grace period" in 2017, but with several irons in the fire and a series of important decisions resting on the horizon, the year will prove crucial for the new American regime according to the Mercedes boss.

"It's always easy to criticise the coach from the stands, because making decisions is not always easy," Wolff told Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspaper.

"But in my view not all the decisions were positive."

Wolff is critical of Liberty's decision to ban grid girls from F1, but also calls into question management's ability to fulfill their ambition of bringing exciting new races to the Grand Prix calendar.

"Hopefully we see something like New York, San Francisco, Miami or an attractive European or Asian race," Wolff said.

"I hope to see it in the second year. Only then will it be fair to judge Liberty," he added.

Look back at developments since Formula 1 enjoyed a change of ownership, Wolff admits that in some ways his misses former supremo Bernie Ecclestone and his decisive way of managing the business.

"In his prime, Bernie was brilliant at pulling off a big deal," he said.

"If he went to a government and said he dreamed of a Singapore grand prix, that's what happened. The current management has to show that it can do that too."

Wolff said Liberty's efforts to please everyone has also created problems.

"Now that Bernie is gone, Liberty is struggling with the problem that suddenly there is a promoters association for the circuits. Everyone wants to renegotiate their deal," he said.

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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.

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