F1 - General discussion and 2016 Season

[Polish]

Some bitter comments from Fernandez here.

Fernandes blames big teams for Caterham collapse
Read more at http://en.espnf1.com/caterham/motorsport/story/181169.html#iOSrAfXs1cXEAmTz.99

Surely as a small privateer and with his mind he should have been betting that something like this may happen.

 

[thestaggy]

Some bitter comments from Fernandez here.

Fernandes blames big teams for Caterham collapse
Read more at http://en.espnf1.com/caterham/motorsport/story/181169.html#iOSrAfXs1cXEAmTz.99

Surely as a small privateer and with his mind he should have been betting that something like this may happen.

As far as I understand it, Caterham, HRT and Marussia all arrived with the promise of cost-capping. If that is true, I can understand his frustrations as the big teams vehemently opposed cost-capping, which I also understand.

The sport's future is not looking good, that is for sure. Especially after Sauber and Force India have also recently come out and raised the cost issue. Williams too incurred a $20 million loss in the first half of the season, but they should be able to offset some of that with the prize money they will be due.

 

[thestaggy]

I was thinking about the 3-car concept last night. So far Red Bull (would suit their youth driver program) and Ferrari said they'd be interested while Mercedes and McLaren are undecided. Williams say 'No' and the rest probably could not afford it.

So, because only two have said they'd seriously consider it, here are my ideas;

1 - Teams will designate their third car for the season as this car will be governed by a few ''special'' rules.
2 - Teams will designate two 'Senior' drivers for the season.
3 - The third car can only be driven by a driver that has no more than 50-career starts to his name. These drivers will be known as 'Junior' drivers. This will stop a big team from monopolising talent and will also encourage youth development. In the absence of smaller teams, younger drivers will battle to enter the sport, so the onus will be on the bigger teams to bring talent through.
4 - Because only a handful of teams will field a third car, only the two best placed cars in a race from a three car team will count towards the Constructors' Championship. Example; If Ferrari finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd, only 1st and 2nd will score Constructors' points. All three drivers however earn full Drivers' points.
5 - The third car will be allowed 4 driver changes throughout the year, encouraging teams to test a number of promising young drivers.
6 - A 'Junior' driver that has raced the third car will not be allowed to drive in cars 1 and 2 unless there is a forced change due to one of the 'Senior' drivers battling illness or suffering an injury.
7 - At no point will a 'Senior' driver be allowed to drive the third car, even if he has less than 50-starts to his name.

 

[Willie Trombone]

1. Replace Bernie with an organisation that has the sport's interest first like the teams themselves.

If money is the problem, you can be sure Bernie is not helping. All that money that comes from TV rights - how much of that goes back into the sport?

 

[Polish]

1. Replace Bernie with an organisation that has the sport's interest first like the teams themselves.

If money is the problem, you can be sure Bernie is not helping. All that money that comes from TV rights - how much of that goes back into the sport?

Double hi5s !!!!!!!!!

 

[Polish]

I was thinking about the 3-car concept last night. So far Red Bull (would suit their youth driver program) and Ferrari said they'd be interested while Mercedes and McLaren are undecided. Williams say 'No' and the rest probably could not afford it.

So, because only two have said they'd seriously consider it, here are my ideas;

1 - Teams will designate their third car for the season as this car will be governed by a few ''special'' rules.
2 - Teams will designate two 'Senior' drivers for the season.
3 - The third car can only be driven by a driver that has no more than 50-career starts to his name. These drivers will be known as 'Junior' drivers. This will stop a big team from monopolising talent and will also encourage youth development. In the absence of smaller teams, younger drivers will battle to enter the sport, so the onus will be on the bigger teams to bring talent through.
4 - Because only a handful of teams will field a third car, only the two best placed cars in a race from a three car team will count towards the Constructors' Championship. Example; If Ferrari finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd, only 1st and 2nd will score Constructors' points. All three drivers however earn full Drivers' points.
5 - The third car will be allowed 4 driver changes throughout the year, encouraging teams to test a number of promising young drivers.
6 - A 'Junior' driver that has raced the third car will not be allowed to drive in cars 1 and 2 unless there is a forced change due to one of the 'Senior' drivers battling illness or suffering an injury.
7 - At no point will a 'Senior' driver be allowed to drive the third car, even if he has less than 50-starts to his name.

This i like, excellent idea.

But isn't the 3rd car concept only enforceable if all teams agree and field an extra one ?

 

[Polish]

Vettel to skip quali in Austin.

So he starts from the pits. This will then realistically put him 5/6th at best, unless some k@k happens.

So Merc, Williams and possibly a Ferrari/ McLaren shared third row.

 

[Grouter]

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/10/27/why-customer-cars-and-third-cars-are-are-wrong/

 

[Polish]

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/10/27/why-customer-cars-and-third-cars-are-are-wrong/

Good article.

The call to action is the same everywhere you talk, restrict spend and share the wealth. I do not see either happening so going forward not much will change.

This until Bernie is head, thereafter yes them maybe things will change.

 

[stixx]

As part of the Silly Season for this year, rumors are that Audi will be joining F1 in 2016.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/2016-audi-f1-program-with-alonso-rumored-to-be-in-the-works

 

[Polish]

As part of the Silly Season for this year, rumors are that Audi will be joining F1 in 2016.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/2016-audi-f1-program-with-alonso-rumored-to-be-in-the-works

Yes indeed, these are growing stronger.

I think they've sat too long in Le Mans, etc, time to make a mark in F1.

This would be supa great news.

 

[Polish]

Question is - will they be representing Audi or VW, or both ?

 

[stixx]

Question is - will they be representing Audi or VW, or both ?

They will be representing Audi - bringing back the 50 year old rivalry of Merc vs Auto Union (Audi). Of course, due to the ownership structures VW will be calling the shots, but the name on the cars will be Audi. Or so I hope

Edit with afterthought: I think if VW/Audi comes into F1, that will entice BMW to return also. That will be 4 major manufacturers in F1, Mercedes, Honda, VW/Audi and BMW. Along with FIAT/Ferrari, this would be extremely good for the sport, although the private teams will suffer. The issue will then be, how to keep the manufacturers in F1.

 

[Agent_Smith]

I've always said this is what F1 should be about. Manufacturers! I WANT to see Ferrari vs BMW vs Porsche vs Mercedes vs Toyota vs Honda etc etc. All on a level playing field! Ok, McLaren, you can play too...

I really hope the Audi rumours are true!

 

[Polish]

I don't know hey, BMW is a bit dicey. They did relatively well in '07 and '08 and in '09 just ran into the ground.

Methinks the bosses just decided to quit while you're ahead, or more like quit while you're in the middle.

 

[Polish]

Ok, McLaren, you can play too...

 

[Agent_Smith]

They will be representing Audi - bringing back the 50 year old rivalry of Merc vs Auto Union (Audi). Of course, due to the ownership structures VW will be calling the shots, but the name on the cars will be Audi. Or so I hope

Edit with afterthought: I think if VW/Audi comes into F1, that will entice BMW to return also. That will be 4 major manufacturers in F1, Mercedes, Honda, VW/Audi and BMW. Along with FIAT/Ferrari, this would be extremely good for the sport, although the private teams will suffer. The issue will then be, how to keep the manufacturers in F1.

Read this on iafrica.com

Fiat Chrysler has reportedly announced plans to sell off Ferrari.

"As we move forward to secure the 2014-2018 Business Plan and work toward maximising the value of our businesses to our shareholders, it is proper that we pursue separate paths for FCA and Ferrari," AdamCooperF1 quoted Fiat Chrysler chief Sergio Marchionne as saying.

According to Bloomberg, ten percent of Ferrari shares would be floated in the USA and possibly Europe, while the remaining 90 percent would be given to Fiat Chrysler shareholders.

The move comes as Fiat Chrysler tries to raise funds for an ambitious growth plan, pegged at over $60-billion.

The news also comes a few months after Ferrari head Luca Cordero di Montezemelo resigned after more than two decades at the helm of the company.

.

I wonder how this will affect Ferrari's F1 future... Probably won't alter it that much, but still. Could have implications.

 

[stixx]

I don't know hey, BMW is a bit dicey. They did relatively well in '07 and '08 and in '09 just ran into the ground.

Methinks the bosses just decided to quit while you're ahead, or more like quit while you're in the middle.

BMW, like Honda, have their strengths in engine development. They could return as an engine supplier to Lotus for example. Would help out Lotus a lot and give them the exposure they need in the sport.

Audi vs BMW vs Mercedes for the title of the German Giant.... if this comes true I would be over the moon!

 

[Agent_Smith]

I don't know hey, BMW is a bit dicey. They did relatively well in '07 and '08 and in '09 just ran into the ground.

Methinks the bosses just decided to quit while you're ahead, or more like quit while you're in the middle.

They didn't find F1 sustainable, nor was it particularly applicable to their road car program. But, if the major manufacturers start to gravitate back to F1, they might feel compelled to do the same. And now with hybrid engines and energy recovery systems in F1, they might find it more relevant and a perfect springboard to develop systems for their road going machines.

Time will tell...

 

[Agent_Smith]

BMW, like Honda, have their strengths in engine development. They could return as an engine supplier to Lotus for example. Would help out Lotus a lot and give them the exposure they need in the sport.

Audi vs BMW vs Mercedes for the title of the German Giant.... if this comes true I would be over the moon!

As long as there's room up there for me too! Would be able to dust off my old BMW F1 attire