Formula 1 Chairman and CEO Chase Carey has insisted that most Grand Prix promoters have given “tremendous support” to Liberty Media’s long-term initiatives.
The Formula One Promoters’ Association released a statement last week, shortly before a planned meeting with Carey, to voice concerns over the future direction of the sport.
But Carey, following the announcement of Formula 1’s renewal with Azerbaijan, insists that the “large majority” have expressed positivity behind-the-scenes.
“I think, realistically, if you get 21 in a room you are bound to find a couple who have something to complain about," Carey told ESPN.
"In all honestly, I thought the meeting was incredibly positive.
“I thought there was tremendous support from the vast majority and they have a great appreciation for what we are doing.
"The fact that a few of them wanted to find something to complain about, that's life.
“It's not going to change what we are doing, and by a large majority the promoters have been supportive and are excited about what we are doing.
"They believe the sport, for them and in general, is in a much better place than it was a few years ago and is going in the right direction.
"It's part of life, you are going to find a bunch of people who have something to complain about and are going to make noise.
“We will go forward and do what we are doing, which I think we feel good about."
“I addressed all three [concerns raised by promoters], but realistically no-one brought any of them up. They just put it out in a press release, which was a little strange."
Five Grands Prix on the 2019 calendar – Spain, Britain, Germany, Italy and Mexico – are out of contract at the end of the season, and Carey stressed negotiations will be undertaken away from the public eye.
As I've said in the past, we will talk about them when they are done," he added.
"This sport seems to like to talk – talk first and act second. I think these are complicated deals and we are engaged in each of them and we will see where we go.
“There are issues we have got to wrestle around and we do have others that are being aggressive about wanting to be a part of the calendar and we don't have that many slots.
"But I'm not going to get into details, at this point those are private discussions between us and promoters, and Silverstone chose to make it public a couple of years ago, but we have continued to deal with it as a private discussion, with them and our other partners."
