Nothing goes "back" . History runs on cycles. Some things work, some things don't. The break up of the United Kingdom will be next as it doesn't operate well in the current cycle - but that's for another thread
F1 has gone ''back'' several times. that's why we don't have TCS, ABS, ESP, active suspension and so on.
F1 gave up some technologies, but adopted others since : KERS, DRS, MGU-H, etc ... A return to atmo V12 would vindicate you completely, but I can't see it coming.
Someone at the FIA has made a political decision for F1 to be road relevant. EG. An R&D facility for daily commuter wagons. With 1.6 litre leaf-blowers, it's really exciting ! This experiment is good for manufacturers but will continue the demise of F1 as the most exciting spectacle. At some point in the future someone will realise that road relevance is detracting from F1 being the pinnacle of motorsport, but it may be too late by then. In 2019 we now have factory spec street cars rolling out of showrooms that are more powerful and more exciting than F1 cars. That was not the case before and played a big part of F1's draw.
I'd wager if the Manufacturers weren't given such a large influence on what engines we'd run we wouldn't have the current engines.
Everyone in F1 wanted a piece of the billions of dollars that the manufacturers brought to the table--everyone except the fans.
Which worldwide motor championship can live without the manufacturers' financial support these days? Rallying, endurance are depending on them, and F1 is no exception. The days when F1 was supported by the oil companies, the tyre companies, or the Tobacco industy are long gone.
Indycar seems to have a better solution at the moment. All cars use a spec chassis and no one cares whether the cars are powered by Honda or Chevrolet. It is a drivers championship.
Indycar is a North American series, and doesn't have the Worldwide appeal, glamour and history of F1 - imo. Sure they've raced internationally in the past but never consistently. As a long time F1 fan, Indycar has never grabbed my attention/imagination. I've had many opportunities to attend Indycar races in the stands and as a team guest, but only ever been to one to watch Nigel Mansell in 1993.
Engine supplier? Haas already uses a Dallara chassis with Ferrari drive train. In their current states, F1 is to Indycar as novocain is to espresso.
Yes, I forgot that Ferrari was once sole supplier for the A1 Grand Prix Series. Imagine that, the whole field driving Ferraris !!
Just bring back the A1 Grand Prix Series, et voila !!! Everybody drives for Ferrari ... Why couldn't Liberty think about that ?
LMP2 runs pretty damn smooth without any manufacturer support. As does F3 and F2. WEC only has 1 manufacturer team running in it's top class (Toyota). I genuinely doubt anyone would stop watching if they stopped tomorrow. The non factory LMP1 cars that fill the rest of field (basically faster LMP2 cars) would suddenly have a shot at winning. I think it'll actually get better...
There is also plenty of money sploshing around in premium brands wanting visibilty. There's also some large energy drink brands who understand the ROI of motorsport involvement
Yep! I remain with the thought that so long Ferrari is in the sport, that's really the only manufacturer we'll need. In the sport since day 1, not missed a season since. Always been the benchmark to beat. Mclaren also won't leave so long they can afford the sport. Same goes for Williams & Alfa/Sauber. Making the sport financially sustainable can only be a good thing. Good for racing, good for competition, good for teams.
https://www.autosport.com/wec/news/144655/lmp1-squad-smp-withdraws-from-201920-wec SMP Racing has withdrawn its pair of LMP1 entries from the 2019/20 World Endurance Championship season. The Russian outfit had previously pledged to continue with its BR Engineering BR1-AERs for the upcoming campaign, appearing on a provisional entry list issued at Le Mans last month. However, just over two weeks ahead of the pre-season Prologue test at Barcelona, SMP announced that it will not take part in the 2019/20 campaign. Its departure leaves only six cars entered by three teams in the LMP1 division, with only two-car entries from Rebellion Racing and Team LNT remaining on the entry list alongside Toyota.
Zero chance of winning so what's the point even fielding a team? One manufacturer with an all-conquering car. Better to field LMP2 instead where the field is level. No point trying to outspend Toyota.
So WEC becomes another specs series ? One of the complains among spectators at the last Le Mans 24 h was the absence of constructors names in the LMP categories. The public was more interested by the fight in the GTE category that by the overall winner ! Who cares about Toyota-alone, ORECA-Gibson, Ligier-Gibson, or SMP, or ByKolles? People want to see Porsche, Audi, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, even BMW, Chevrolet, etc.... It's probably why the ACO rushes to introduce Hypercars to bring back the manufacturers and save the WEC from boredom.
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/145296/modest-revenue-increase-for-f1-in-second-quarter Formula One Group recorded a modest revenue increase in this year's second financial quarter compared to 2018, despite one of its more lucrative races falling earlier in the year. Within the overall results for the Liberty Media Group announced on Thursday, F1's revenues rose from $585million to $620m for the April to June period, while operating income rose from $14m to $26m. The 10 teams enjoyed an increase in their combined payments from $307m to $335m compared with the same period last year, a number that is linked directly to the overall revenue increase. Revenues increased despite the Bahrain Grand Prix, which pays one of the biggest hosting fees of the season, having taken place in the first quarter this year. Seven grands prix were held in the second quarter in 2018 and '19, but this year Bahrain was replaced in the list by the less lucrative Austrian event, which just squeezed into the period as it took place on June 30th. Image Unavailable, Please Login That change also hit F1's Paddock Club revenue, as Bahrain generates more VIP interest than Austria. Explaining the overall change in revenues, Liberty said: "Race promotion revenue decreased due to the differing fees associated with specific races held in the second quarter of 2019 compared to '18, partially offset by rate increases in the underlying contracts. "Broadcast revenue increased primarily due to contractual rate increases. Advertising and sponsorship revenue increased due to revenue from new sponsorship agreements entered into beginning in the second half of 2018. "Other F1 revenue decreased in the second quarter primarily due to the mix of races, which resulted in lower TV production and Paddock Club revenue." CEO Chase Carey insisted F1 will hit its financial targets for this year. "F1 heads into our summer break on the heels of some unforgettable races," said Carey. "We're excited by the growing competitiveness of Red Bull and Ferrari the return of Honda as a winning engine supplier. "We were thrilled to announce that season two of the Netflix Series 'Formula 1: Drive to Survive' will air in 2020 and will feature all ten teams. "We are pleased with our growth in revenue and profitability and [are] on target to hit our goals for 2019."K
