I think it's not only McLaren that could be in trouble. I suppose they have a contract with Honda to prevent any surprise in terms of pull-out. In anycase, their plan to attract a title sponsor must have taken a serious knock ... But Mateschitz has hinted several times through Marko, Horner and others that Red Bull could also stop its effort in F1, IN SPITE of contract with FOM/FIA. The attempt to involve AUDI/VW didn't work. Also, Renault is itself thinking about a potential withdrawal from F1, although it still thinks in terms of buying a team outright (once again! Will they ever learn?). They talk more about leaving F1 than staying in the French press. So, the F1 map could change very soon. There could be several teams for sale, and a shortage of engines too. It's obvious that Honda came back in F1 at the wrong time, and that Renault (slowly divorcing from Red Bull, despite the 4 titles together) can't accept constant bad exposure.
Yes and no. Only when a car is utterly dominant. Brawn was dominant for the first 1/2 of Button's WDC season. Mercedes is in aa league of it's own now. By that logic, now button is at the wrong place by choice... and so is alonso. I don't disagree.
Mercedes engines are at the back of 8 cars on the grid, but only those fitted to Mercedes chassis manage to win. So, it's not only a matter of power, but also of chassis. Unless ... Mercedes supply less powerful engines to its customers. Button? Yes, absolutely, his decision to stay at McLaren was based on previous success, and the Honda flop wasn't predicted. But having said that, what were his options? Retiring or offering his services to a lesser team? At least McLaren has some pedigree compared to .. say Manor, or Sauber .
+1 I think that McLaren may be concentrating so much on becoming a road car company that they may be diverting capital and engineering away from the F1 division
I think what is sad if when a team has to sacrifice one season to sort out gremlins because of a ban on testing. Not only it damage its reputation, but demotivate its drivers. Teams should be able to take a sabatical in such circumstances, to lift all the restrictions to test.
I start thinking that, but then with one more year of experience under this hybrid formula Renault isn't doing much better! Even Ferrari is struggling I think.
Ferrari is half a step behind MB. Renault is at a serious power deficit. Honda blows up engines when running their harvesting at only thirty five percent. The fact that the rules lock in initial design flaws is just plain stupid. If the sport "saves" any more money it will go broke.
It's so obvious that:- 1) the test ban is crazy-bad 2) the hybrid stuff is expensive carp 3) fuel/tire restrictions only restrict racing It doesn't matter what was previously agreed to, and it shouldn't matter who threatens to leave, all 3 should be seen for the rubbish they are and should be removed immediately.
... and so say all of us ... and so say all of us ... Now that they are all tied up in silly rules enforceable by contract, etc... the cretins in charge are slowly ruining the sport. Just like a good business thrives in a liberal economy, F1 needs a good dose of deregulation.
So much for the bloody engine freeze nonsense. Even I, a Ferrari fan...feel Mclaren's pain. Damn you FIA.
Poor Dieter Mateschitz is begging for relief and Ferrari fans are feeling bad for Macca. Yup. This sport is fugged.
Nando said the best that could be seen on the horizon was 2nd place and although mathematically Ferrari can still win, realistically it is not looking so good and kinda what he said well see Macca/Honda is looking sad at the moment. "In November well see. If they win the championship, its a bad decision. If they finish second, its a very good decision, Fernando Alonso says Ferrari title would make McLaren move an error | F1 News
Dont think Mcl knows how far behind they are (except for comparative track times)...if they knew they would fix it. Seems like they take one step forward and one or two steps back. Couldnt happen to a more deserving bunch of guys.
Who'd have ever thunk! Maybe.... It does seem there's a lack of bums in seats right now. But that's not Bernie's problem (that it isn't is another debate). TV eyeballs may be down - But again, do the Pygmy or his "stakeholders" actually care? Uncle Ron doesn't even have a "title sponsor" right now. Yet the show continues on with more countries willing to host than there are spots on the calendar. A business problem I think I'd like to have...... [/end devils advocate/] Cheers, Ian
All these things may not be Bernie's problem (they are his responsibility though) but they are signs of the (bad) health of the sport. Bernie knows the sport is on trouble. Being dependent on sovereign states continuing to throw money away on national vanity isn't a sustainable business plan.
Wait til the next economic downturn...countries will bail...they are above contracts, above the law. Could be the end of F1. Will many miss it?
More European countries are crying "enough is enough" to Bernie's demands. France yesterday, Germany today, maybe Italy tomorrow, and even Britain isn't safe. FOM's model of relying on more new countries applying to have a race will fizzle out one day. What next? Azerbijan? Qatar? Brunei?
Alonso was 1.6 seconds off Rosberg in testing today, not so bad I guess. I'd say they are getting there all things considered. What else can we expect with these stupid ass rules. F1 is lucky to even attract new engine manufacturers with these rules in place..
