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Formula 1 "no longer fair competition" - Kaltenborn

Sauber boss Monisha Kaltenborn believes Formula 1 remains a fantastic sport but that its current governance and financial structure undermine fair competition between teams.

Sauber, which is rumored to be struggling once again with its financial viability, was at the forefront of an official anti-competition complaint lodged last year, along with Force India, which encouraged the European Union to investigate Grand Prix racing's governance and revenue distribution model.

To date, nothing has transpired from the EU regarding the process of the teams complaint, a state of affairs which frustrates Kaltenborn.

"That is indeed a bit disappointing, because we have such a fantastic sport," Kaltenborn said, speaking to Motorsport.com.

"We have a fantastic product, and controversies are part of our product that also makes it exciting. Otherwise it would actually be quite boring.

"It doesn't take much to change it in our sport, so it was of course frustrating because we really tried - Force India and ourselves - to talk to the stakeholders and try to get them to change something."

Kaltenborn's main grievance centers around the fact that leading teams not only get a guaranteed bigger share of Formula 1's revenues, they are also involved in the rule-making process, which in the Sauber boss' view only induces inequity among competitors.

"Everyone knows how this deals were done and the worse part about it is not that you want to change something just because you don't like it anymore, it is having a massive impact on our competition.

"It's leading to a competition which is no longer a fair competition. It has to do with these privileges certain teams get in terms of rule-making and in terms of the commercial distribution.

"And if that reaches a point where it has an effect on the competition, that is something we are fighting against.

"All we want is a level playing field. You are good, you are bad, that's your doing, but today even a team like Force India or ourselves, and a couple of others actually, were to let's say, be in the top three, we could never get that kind of income.

"We could never have certain rule-making powers that other teams have irrespective of where they are, and that cannot be right."

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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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