FERRARI OUT OF F1

pinchvalve wrote: However, without Ferrari how many people will be interested in F1?

I can't see hipsters buying Brawn GP or Force India branded Pumas.

This is hardly a new tactic for Ferrari. For but one example, in '87 (give or take), Ferrari built a CART chassis and engine as a threat to the FIA. At least at one point, the plan was for TrueSports to campaign it for Bobby Rahal.

Ferrari were able to get ultimately get their way with the FIA regarding the forthcoming switch to normally aspirated engines, so the program was scrapped, apart from the engine later seeing use with Alfa Romeo's CART program.

I see it as a bluff, but it will most likely pay off because the FIA needs the teams for there to even be an F1.

(though there are rumors of TWO new American F1 teams now for next year.)

I've never been a fan of lawn darts and I've been to a number of F1 races (starting with The Glen in the late 60s).

I'd like to see Ferrari make a new effort at endurance racing and even the Rolex Series. It might even be keen to see them cook up something for the European Touring Car Cup.

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/5/9351.html

Renault issue team statement The decision of the Federation International de l’Automobile (FIA) to introduce two sets of Formula One technical regulations for the 2010 Formula One season has caused the Renault Group to reconsider its entry in next year’s FIA Formula One World Championship.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8042267.stm

AND TOYOTA!

Toyota F1 boss John Howett said: "If nothing changes, we won't be submitting an entry. I don't think that's a unique opinion among other competitors."

Aaah, the drama! It's part of what makes F1 such a fascinating series. And the racing has been better this year than in a long time, aided by some relatively out-of-nowhere teams kicking ass, some rain races (with neither ABS nor traction control on the cars) and the wildcard of totally new car specifications. I think the FOM needs to be careful how quickly they make huge changes, however. It'll work out, it always does. They've already gone back and forth a few times on a medals vs. points system for the championships in the past few months (still points last I read).

The problem is, I think this is some of the best rules that have been put forth in the past few years. I have heard varying thoughts, but most have stemmed off the 2 tier system.

I think if they bump the limit up even 100million would be a big cut for teams and leave the same thoughts it would be good. With as many out there that are talking about walking FIA could not ignore it. I just hope they keep most of the "wow" rules in place which lets them do some new stuff. F1 should not be a spec class.

put everyone on a 100mil budget cap (that does NOT include salaries), and let everyone have every technological freedom immaginable. bring what you brought and hope you brought enough.

good day sirs.

the main reason everyone is threatening to quit is because the 40 mil includes salaries. Kimi Raikkonnen alone has a salary over 40... if you cap driver salaries, then you no longer have the best drivers available. the same with team principles. Earning just over 100K would ruin Flavio Briatore in a week.

The budget class has to be $2010 or I'm not watching.

Miata donor locost style F1 car? I say yes!

BTW those figures posted are ESTIMATES of the '07 season.

Could you imagine GRM switching to a 2-tier Challenge rule? The $200x guys can still sell back half and have a $3000 total budget, but couldn't swap engines, were not allowed r-comps or drag tires, had a cap of 100 man-hours of work, and only 1 test pre-Challenge. The $1000 competitors could do whatever they wanted to the car, could still sell back a grand for a $2000 budget, could run tires with no hit to the budget, have unlimited man-hours, and unlimited testing.

Would anybody still run at $200x? Didn't think so. Same thing here. The advantages given to the lower-cost teams FAR outweigh the budget cut.

maroon92 wrote: put everyone on a 100mil budget cap (that does NOT include salaries), and let everyone have every technological freedom immaginable. bring what you brought and hope you brought enough. good day sirs.

FO SHO!!!

BobOfTheFuture wrote: Miata donor locost style F1 car? I say yes!

Maybe, But if Ferrari drops F1, surely they'll craigslist/ebay some cool parts for pennies on the GBP.

Think, "F1 donor Locost"

maroon92 wrote: the main reason everyone is threatening to quit is because the 40 mil includes salaries. Kimi Raikkonnen alone has a salary over 40... if you cap driver salaries, then you no longer have the best drivers available. the same with team principles. Earning just over 100K would ruin Flavio Briatore in a week.

Where do the best drivers go? I thought F1 was one of the highest paying motorsports?

P71 wrote: Could you imagine GRM switching to a 2-tier Challenge rule? The $200x guys can still sell back half and have a $3000 total budget, but couldn't swap engines, were not allowed r-comps or drag tires, had a cap of 100 man-hours of work, and only 1 test pre-Challenge. The $1000 competitors could do whatever they wanted to the car, could still sell back a grand for a $2000 budget, could run tires with no hit to the budget, have unlimited man-hours, and unlimited testing. Would *anybody* still run at $200x? Didn't think so. Same thing here. The advantages given to the lower-cost teams *FAR* outweigh the budget cut.

Yeah, there wouldn't be any incentive to spend more money if you're going to be handicapped to the cheaper level. They might as well divide the ranks ala American LeMans and have prizes for different classes.

maroon92 wrote: if you cap driver salaries, then you no longer have the best drivers available. the same with team principles.

Two problems with this statement:

(1) Where else are the "best" drivers going to go to earn that $40MM? I don't know of anything other than NASCAR where that kind of comp is possible for a racecar driver.

(2) F1 teams have principals, not principles. I'm not being grammatically picky, but rather making a comment on the sport.

slantvaliant wrote:

BobOfTheFuture wrote: Miata donor locost style F1 car? I say yes!

Maybe, But if Ferrari drops F1, surely they'll craigslist/ebay some cool parts for pennies on the GBP. Think, "F1 donor Locost"

I tried to think it, but my brain made a smell like a resistor with a little too much power through it.

The way this year is going I think the best thing to do would be make up 5-6 rule books. At the last race end of the year the champion pulls one out of a hat, and the race is on to build a completely different car the next year. You may get lucky and run the same car twice in a row but most likely you would see different people up front every year as they had to scramble to assemble what ever the car of the year will be.

P71 wrote: Ferrari is just the latest F1 team to threaten leaving. BMW/Sauber, McLaren/Mercedes, Red Bull, Toro Rosso, and Renault already have, and they all followed Toyota. That doesn't leave much left. The FIA should take a note from the WRC, which they already ruined. It is a withered, pathetic shell of it's former self and is only getting worse. F1 will die the same inglorious death. I for one would *love* to see Ferrari hit LeMans and try to knock the diesels off!

Acura is all ready trying , but you're right it would be great to have Ferrari there too

Whatever does finally happen next year, I extend a warm welcome to Ferrari if they think they can come over and take on the Indy 500. That would be cool, and I'm pretty sure the IRL will work with them to have a Ferrari in the field. You guys over in Italy aren't scared of a little oval racing, are you?

Scared, no? Pointless, yes.

What a waste that would be for a Ferrari engine and suspension.

Wait, Nascar could be fun! Their COT would have to be based upon 430 or something cool like that. Just think of it, 21st century looks and technology on a Nascar track, the fans heads would explode! I'd pay to see that!

Yeah, because it doesnt take any skill or talent to design a good suspension and engine set up that can win the 500.

F1 = European NASCAR.

But it would be cool to see Ferrari elsewhere, I am not so much a fan of that company but the 333SP was a sweet sound to my ears and would love to see a LMP1 Ferrari.

LMP would be a good home for Ferrari.