It's very much a business nowadays, and it has to be conducted as such. Only old enthusiasts like me remember it as a sport.
The end of an era approaches with three-car teams on the horizon The end of an era approaches with three-car teams on the horizon | News | Motorsport.com Is it better to have a third Ferrari or a Caterham? Bernie Ecclestone
A number of interesting things there. The teams are obligated to produce a third car on sixty days notice. Doesn't seem possible. Particularly this late in the season. More likely announced soon effective next season. The third car can be "leased out". On a race by race basis? I'm not sure how the sponsor deals would be structured. Car comes with the factory sponsor livery but driver wears his sponsor logos? And if there's a conflict between the two's sponsors? To an independent for the season? Seems like only the manufacturer can earn WCC points so and independent wouldn't be eligible for championship bucks. So what would their motivation be? The FIA would lose money? How?
The sentence that mentions the 60 days probably means they have to come up with a 3rd car for the season if "told to do so" within 60 days of the start of a season. Just my interpretation of the following from the article: "While Eric Boullier has said teams would need around six months’ notice to bring a third car to the grid, it is thought that within the provisions of the highly secret agreements between teams and commercial rights holder is a clause requiring teams to field a third car if needed with only 60 days’ notice before the start of the season." If it goes this way in the future, my take on it is that "teams" would run 3 cars, that part seems clearly the intent, but just like this year with Marussia and Caterham, it's up to the team who drives the car at any given race, i.e; who brings the cash to drive the team sponsored car and wear the team sponsored logos on the overalls.
PS Bernie put the bullet in the back of BMW and Toyota's head for daring to usurp the King and we got Marusia and the rest of the backmarkers in trade. Bernies first priority is keeping Bernie in power.
Bernie is still in power after so long because he has kept a lot of people happy over the years and made a few of them rich as well.
Engavest and Kolles have left Caterham from what I understand. So the team is without a leader/owner now? Still Fernandes? Are the lawyers going to send the team to race?
There we go... Caterham F1 Team handed over to administrators | James Allen on F1 ? The official James Allen website on F1
If they're intending to preserve assets and reduce expenses I can't see them allowing that. If they're hoping to sell it as an ongoing concern they might.
Engavest is the company that (thought they) were buying the team according to Pitpass. They've just released another pretty scathing attack on Fernandes (link below). Haven't heard about Kolles, but where there's slime he's often not far away..... Wouldn't surprise me if he's still lurking in the background. The administrator seems to want money before he'll release 'his' cars. And I think that unless that happens by this evening UK time, they're hosed. Cheers, Ian Engavest replies to Fernandes claims - Pitpass.com
Now that Bernie's cut them (and other minnows)loose in favor of three car squads I expect that they're toast.
Kolles said in the interview, wouldn't they have bought the team, they would have stopped racing mid-season. This makes me wonder what the odds for survival are now.
This team is utterly toast. It will not survive in it's current form beyond the end of this season (at best). Shame to see another team bite the dust, but it was every thus in F1.
It's looking likely, that's for sure. Unless Bernie steps in, which he's said he's looking at, I don't think they make Austin. As for after that, who knows. However, as you say, it's always been thus in F1. Wikipedia has a *long* list of forgotten names from over the years.... Makes kind of depressing reading if you're an old fart. Cheers, Ian
Now this: Marussia also in danger of missing US GP – reports Marussia also in danger of missing US GP - reports | News | Motorsport.com Another team in trouble, without mentioning Sauber, etc... The argument for 3-car teams ans customer cars is getting stronger every day!!!
B.S. The money they'll save by skipping America will be enough to insure solvency in the long run? Like being in the ICU and getting a doctor's note excusing you from gym.
I actually think Bernie is looking to broker a deal, and is hopeful of getting them back on track by Abu Dhabi...... If anyone can find a buyer, it's Bernie..... Cheers, Ian
I fear he's lost interest. He may be saying the right things so as to not be sued by the knackers but his mind is on three car teams.
