Costs doubled moving to V6

Why don't they just cap the price that the engine mfrs can charge customer teams and let them do whatever they want beyond that.. development, testing, etc. Win win for everyone.

 

Unattractive for manufacturers...750K per unit currently, Merc/Ferrari likely to use just 4 per car this season.

If they limit cost to 400K per engine max but allow unlimited engines to be used it would make sense for htem.

 

This is pretty accurate. I think once Bernie got more money than he could use - he started to settle down a bit - that was around 1983-85. He then started to focus on the business and being the real power behind the F-1 Throne. To see Bernie at his best is to watch his handling of Jean Marie Balestre - he was a master... friend, foe, instigator, conunselor etc.. all at once.

That being said - Bernie also took the risk ( early on ) so he deserved the reward. what he did better than anyone else was spread the wealth - and make them dependent on him.

He even was able to negotiate with Mr. Ferrari in the end. remember the Ferrari indy car - that was his way of saying I'll get what I want or I leave... bernie coaxed him back ( gave him what he wanted ) but saved F-1.

the Major turning point was Max Mosley - he IS the VILLAN - he gave Bernie so much power he became blinded - a true tyrant. and today is what we have. a totalitarian dictator ship ... that is going down the tubes. much like USSR - either we have a coup, or it will just dissapear and become Russia and a bunch of poor countries.

 

I don't remember anyone ever making that argument...Everyone knew costs would go up, but it was what was required to keep manufacturers interested. The v8's had no real world relevance anymore so the manufacturers didn't want to spend money building engines that they couldn't learn anything on.

 

I think you should have a good mix of manufacturers and independent specalist teams. that worked well from 1950 to 2000... the shutting out of specalists is a real issue.

Cosworth was really just about racing even when Ford was behind them ... there should not have to have a Major car company behind every team.

I also think the FOM should buy the rights to classic team names - and have them like Franchises - that gurantees a slot on the grid etc.. so you can preserve the history of F-1 - which is part of its allure.

cost is the major issue - but its not just that it cost so much, its that people want to make a profit. racing people think that if there is $1 left I have to spend it ... busienss people think I need to squeeze out more $$$ ... that is the problem.

sure its going to be hard to out spend Mercedes or Fiat, but as has been proven before smaller teams can topple the big guys ... but only if the rules are opend more and there is more than one "spec" ... that is the problem there is no freedom of thought. that is where real innovation comes from, and THAT is what F-1 Has been about.

Colin Chapman, Gordon Murray, Adrian Newey, etc... would all be smothered buy the rules today in F-1. there is no free thinking.

if you make the rules that the driver has to control the car and limit the amount of G's put on the driver to increase safety... then there will be huge advances and new technologies that will bring more money into F-1 improve the show, drive innovation etc... but right now F-1 is trying to sell a 20th century product to 21st. century buyer... and its not working so well. Its kind of like Ferrari in the late 80's - they were resting on their reputation... while Honda -NSX was going pure Tech....and beating them

 

This surprises anyone?

As long as Bernie makes money for the big teams he'll be given carte Blanche. Even as it kills the sport.
Other than the big Automakers we've got a billion dollar sport run by and for small timers.

 

Hummmm, not sure about that.

We have seen the debacle with the Lotus name, with 2 teams fighting to use it. None of them had a remote link to Chapman's era.

The Brabham family also intends to protect the name, and stopped a German team from adopting it.

So, what's left? Cooper? That belongs to BMW (through the MINI brand).
BRM perhaps? I think the Rubbery Owen company is now defunct, but Mangoletsi had to ask permission to use it at Le Mans.
I don't think that Chrysler-Fiat would like anyone using Alfa Romeo or Maserati either, which could be revived in F1.
So, what does that leave?
Connaught? Scarab? Eagle? Onyx? Eurobrun? Simtek? March? Lola? BRP? Matra? Tyrrell?

 

+1

If F1 was a country, its leadership would be denounced at the UN for corruption and despotism.

 

If only the UN would denounce corruption and despotism instead of rewarding them......

 

And then they would head the UN High Commission on Freedom and Transparency in Government.