The grid is already weakened as it is. We can't afford to loose another 6 cars (including Lotus). F1 was always about a few top finishers but you do need the field to keep it interesting.
Lotus have resigned Maldonado to keep his £30 million a season coming back in, so that'll help. Maybe the Renault takeover will go through and Enstone will become the Renault works team again. As to Red Bull and Toro Rosso, I think withdrawal is an empty threat - it'd be a business, sporting, and brand disaster for them. Although they do appear to have backed themselves into a corner over the engine situation. Lambasting Renault and going through a bitter divorce was not wise before lining up their next engine supplier. Maybe Bernie can help smooth out a deal with someone. If I was Honda, I'd be looking to get my engines into Red Bull. Twice the cars on the grid and twice the development mileage. I don't think McLaren's exclusivity arrangement is worth much when the cars fail so often they don't get to the end of the GP most of the time. McLaren are hurting for sponsorship, so perhaps a little payment from Red Bull to McLaren to nullify the exclusivity arrangement would make it all work. All the best, Andrew.
I may be wrong, but seem to recall the Mclaren exclusive was just for this season (?) Who would want their PU's right now is another question, but if you've got no other option, who knows? Cheers, Ian
I remember two seasons exclusivity for mclaren. How lucky! Anyway, I think if Red Bull went from Renault to Honda, Horner and Marko would end up in a mental hospital
I don't think so. Mateschitz brought Red Bull into F1 for advertising. He has achieved what he wanted. Red Bull is now a brand known internationaly, and far beyond F1. Red Bull is in MotoGP, rallying, touring cars, air racing, skying, sailing, motor boating, etc... Mateschitz doesn't need F1 anymore: it's costly and he has stopped winning. The fun has gone, therefore the divorce with Renault and the prospect of being treated as "customer" by a constructor is too much to bear. Mateschitz' core business isn't F1 but soft drinks; F1 was just a tool he exploited, so it's quite possible that he will cut his loses and leave. He may sell, or he may not find buyer. But he has promised to look after the 1200 employees at RB and TR, unlike Tony Fernandez (Caterham). I must say it's the likely outcome when a team sponsor becomes team owner. When Red Bull stopped sponsoring Sauber, Peter Sauber went out and found other support to carry on racing. But when Reb Bull bought Jaguar, the team bacame linked to Mateschitz decisions.
Yes. And no. If they leave for 2016, then it's a big blow to F1. 4 cars missing, and Haas joining (at the back) is NOT good for the sport. If RB leaves 2020 or even 2018, so be it. No one cares.
All this will evaporate soon. RB will get Ferrari engines. Bernie will see to that. Don't understand the problem - I expect fan hysteria is way higher than RB or Ferrari emotions right now. Ferrari will hold out just long enough for Bernie to offer some $$ and to force newey to have to compromise his aero package assumptions for the 2016 car before signing the deal. It's all a show.
Looking at his attitude I can see why Renault is walking, mb said no and Ferrari is hesitant. They should have never gotten rid of the Ferrari engines that were in the TR. When they win it's because of him when they lose it's because Renault stink. Really can't win with him.
I hope he isn't! I have my own agenda, but REd Bull and Toro Roso out of F1 would suit me. So, I hope they don't get any engine supply and then pack their bags and go. F1 may be a more pleasant environment once the Mataschits and Marko of this world stop polluting F1 with their inflated budgets and their arrogance.
I'm with you on that one, William. As hard as I try, I can't remember when was the last time I heard Marko say something intelligent...it is very difficult to have a modicum of sympathy for their self-inflicted plight... Rgds
I will openly admit that confidence in my own prediction is at best 50:50! This is F1 after all. Prepare for the unexpected !
Renault argued for this new format, no? Red Bull probably wanted something more exciting. It takes a lot more than just not having the winning engine to dump someone like this. Renault also said they compromised Red Bull's needs for the other teams. This is why Mclaren left Mercedes for Honda. I don't see why Red Bull gets picked on for trying to do the same? Red Bull has left a very positive impact on the sport, they've brought up lots of fresh new drivers when in the past, it was simply the same set swapping seats for several years. One of them is now driving for Ferrari! Unlike the other teams that entered primarily as a financial scam. For the new engine format to work - each major team really needs its own engine supplier. It doesn't make sense for this though, with two car teams. If Red Bull and TR exit, three or four car teams will help the sport survive, and with this engine format, honestly - what the sport needs is more cars from the same team, and less teams. Ferrari is getting the picture from Red Bull by having Haas as an extended arm, even as Red Bull does with TR. Williams is in a similar position with Mercedes. A lot of cost would be saved if these could meld into one team instead of entirely separate operations for two cars each. This engine format would make a lot more economic sense if there were more cars of the same design, instead of compromising your engine design for multiple car designs.
I hear you. My confidence level is way down. I'm very worried about the 4 cans leaving. Plan B with 3 cars per top team is just ludicrous. I'd totally hate to see that.
lol i blame crap rules. btw any manufacturer who comes in to the series should have to provide pu to at least 2 teams. Red Bull should have been more complimentary to the Regie's engines back in the day-NEVER burn bridges.
