BBC: All teams agree to quit F-1

Did you hear Sam Posey's suggestion about Bernie selling "difficulty ratings" for different F1 tracks? Talk about pouring fuel on a fire.

Since the evil troll would actively try to crush a "F-1 clone" series, maybe it's time to think outside the box.

Something has always bothered me about the notion of F1 as "fastest around a road course":
The big problem with open wheel cars are, well, the open wheels. Wheels sitting out in the open are horrific for aerodynamics.

Of course, LeMans cars weigh half again what F1 cars weigh, and have engine and other limitations imposed both by rules and the "enduro" nature of the events.

And current sportscar events aren't known for good management, either.

So maybe here's a chance for the FOTA teams to build a good sportscar series --- using F1 type engines in a lightweight prototype chassis, running sprint type (2 hr) events, on the tracks that FOM abandoned.
And, like F1, restricting it to build-your-own. And running a single class, not clogging the circuit with several types of cars.

So what about "Formula Prototype"?

A lightweight sprint prototype should run circles around open wheeled cars.

And I'd love to see Ferrari go back to racing sportscars.

(I find it a bit appalling that Ferrari went to Dallara to develop the 333SP and only built the engine themselves.)

Maybe they'd even figure out how to slim their street cars down to less than two tons.

 

The BBC is dead wrong according to motorsport aktuell:

http://www.motorsport-aktuell.com/formel-1/news/meetings-gehen-weiter-9146.html

Patrick Head: «Die einzigen zwei Teams, die sich nicht mit dem Budgetlimit anfreunden können, sind Ferrari und Toyota. Sie werden am Ende allein in der Ecke stehen», erklärte er.

Translation: "The only two teams who can't get along with the budget cap are Ferrari and Toyota. In the end, they'll be left alone standing in the corner."


My take on this:
Nobody cares about Toyota and Ferrari is bluffing. Therefore the FIA will win and we'll see the field again lined up for 2010.

 

Andreas, I just posted some input on another thread from one of my old friends that is in the paddock for 30+ years. If true I believe everyone is closer to agreement than they give on in public. The egos of Mosley, Ecclestone, and DeMontezemelo probably add up to the rest of the world, so none of them can appear to be giving in, it has to look like everyone got their way.

At the end of the day, there will be comprimise, but I am concerned about Luca's need to be correct even when he is not. It could be that even Toyota leaves Ferrrai out in the cold.

 

toyota would like to use this as their way out

 

They actually have a real problem with severe budget cuts being implemented in 7 months. As does Ferrari. I believe there will be real comprimise, so Toyota will not end up with an excuse to leave.

 

Good, let Max and Co reap the rewards of years of meddling, years of stupid rule changes...Ferrari are right to pull out, we are talking about the pinnacle of motorsport here, not some series like A1. In life nobody is equal, why try and create an artificial situation in F1.

 

From Autosport

Although FOTA has not revealed any details of its plans or progress, a senior source has suggested that the current teams may all choose to lodge their entries by next week's deadline - but only with an attachment expressing that their entry does depend on them being happy with the 2010 regulations.

 

Ferrari cannot pull out because they got no place else to go.

Secondly they also have a contractual agreement to stay in F1 until 2012. If they break that, Ecclestone will take them to the cleaners.

LdM is just bluffing, Ferrari will not leave F1. Their livelihood as a car maker depends on it.

 

As usual when the strokes get shorter things get more interesting.
No one involved wants an end to F1.
Basically its a negotiation between Bernie and FOTA over money, both expenses and revenues. In public everyone talks about expenses. Behind the scenes they're discussing a new revenue split. Those are the talks that everything else hinges on, and are the ones we'll never hear.

 

To be named F 1.2

 

if you think about, it makes sense to go ahead and put the entries in WHY in the hell would they want to give into the Bernie/Max Greed show and pay a late fee?? I hope they get exactly what they ask for and don't settle for anything less than what they want. Those lower tier teams can go elsewhere to play. I had to laugh today when Peter Windsor made a comment about Anderson going back to NC to work on the new car - NASCAR F1 here they come.

Carol

 

Right with you Carol, I hate defeatist attitude.

Right Bernie, let's try again. This is called adding. If I have two beans and then I add two more beans, what do I have?

Bernie: Some beans.

Ermm ok, Yes...and no. Let's try again, shall we? I have two beans, then I add to more beans what does that make?

Bernie: A very small casserole.

Ok! up yours...arrivederci !!!..

 

Steve I thought it telling that Bernie (but mot Max) was at the friday meeting on Flav's yacht. Do you know if he was there again today?
Got your Brawn cap yet?
David

 

Max was at a meeting in a hotel I think, he was being hounded by the press after coming out along with Luca and Flabio, I was hoping one of the press men would punch Mosleys light's out, no such luck even the seagulls spared him, to be honest Mosley didn't look to upbeat, I'am hoping they have got him on the back foot, but it maybe me wishfull thinking...

Ermm Brawn cap no not yet, I like a underdog, and there not one now..

Seriously I would wear one with pride..

 

Max has shown the ability to keep a straight face under all circumstances.
At this point the FIA is playing a secondary role to FOTA and FOM and will have to follow their lead. Max literally doesn't seem to have a seat at the table.

 

Dave this quote I find quite interesting could be telling sign for the future plans, from a Joe blog:

Officially Fernando has a deal to stay at Renault next year but Fernando no doubt had performance clauses that will not be met. With the team’s sponsor ING walking away and these being difficult times for the car company and it being hard to find new sponsorship, particularly if a team has no decent results, it may well be that Renault boss Carlos Ghosn will finally decided that he has had enough and will take the company out of F1. The most likely outcome of such a decision would be that the team would be handed over to Flavio Briatore and be reinvented in a Brawn-like fashion.

Briatore’s actions in the ongoing political manoeuvres are thus being looked at with some scepticism, as no-one is quite sure whether he is representing Renault or representing himself. He would no doubt love to have Alonso onboard and would logically stop all development on this year’s car and start work on next year, in an effort to get an advantage. It is therefore interesting to hear that Alonso is arguing against that course of action, saying that he would prefer to see the team develop the existing car. This suggests that he might not be there to benefit from a better car next year and thus the suggestion is that he is bound for Ferrari. Assuming, of course, that Ferrari is in the sport.

According to Gazetto dello Sport, Alonso has moved to a house near Lugano, in the Italian-speaking part of Italy, which will put him within easy reach of Maranello.

Oh and we know, Kimi Raikkonen had a Ferrari deal in his pocket for 18 months before he joined the team and it would be amazing if the Italian team was not following a similar strategy today

 

Hasn't Alonso followed the Santander money? They're with Ferrari next year.
I do like the Team Flav idea though. It'll raise the bar for pit girls if nothing else.

 

True, he maybe a lot of things but he is one hell of shrewd/clever lawyer.

 

Ah yes, team Flav, I like zat, with girls wetter than a haddocks....err I digress..

 

It would be nice if there were someone in the negotiations arguing for the fans. Who makes how much means a lot less to me than seeing F1 return to the States, Canada, France and a secure future in the UK.

 

+1000 I remember filling in a online form sent to the FIA for feedback, thousands of folk on it all singing a similar tune, a total utter waste of time.

 

Should have mailed it to FOM (and included a check )

 

LOL..

 

Steve, cruise over to other racing on the N24 thread and check out Modeler's set up - VERY nice...all I have going right now is commentary in German and the ADAC live streaming.

Carol