Hey, We may rue the loss of testing. But as I've said before, it did get ridiculous. Two, sometimes three dedicated test teams is nuts IMO. This seems like an eminently sensible approach [Unusual in F1 as we know ] My emphasis added; I guess the HRT guys didn't have much of a say. Should?........ Earlier than Aus? Hmmmm....... Cheers, Ian
i loved it when they could test as much as they wanted. i like the teams that try the hardest to win in every aspect. bring back unlimited testing
The testing ban is saving the teams so much money that they're considering banning the actual races as well.
Damnit it D!...... Any of you guys willing to put up the ~$50-100MM or so it was costing EACH TEAM? Seriously, while I too enjoyed those days it's just not feasible today. Now, could there be a compromise? Sure, but reading the OP suggests they're just not in favor. And it remains their ball after all...... Cheers, Ian
Yeah, let's pass the hat for the poor F1 teams. Saving money is just another way of saying pocketing more money. Not to worry, eventually they'll kill the golden goose and then they'll be sorry. Richer than hell but sorry. Unlike us who will just be sorry.
F1 has to be the only sport that does not allow testing. If as a team, you can't afford to be in F1, then leave. Just like any other business. If F1 really wants to save money, stop letting teams develop a technology, pass legality tests, only to ban it mid season and have to redevelop the car or vice versa.
F1 mandates tech like DRS and KERS to increase parity which improves the show. Testing might give one team an edge and that might make for boring TV.
DRS was requested by the fans - It's what "we" asked for [Did you complete the fan survey BTW?] I could go either way on KERS; An 80hp (soon to be increased?) boost is pretty cool and they're pushing the envelope with it. It hasn't turned it into taxicab racing after all.... Testing might also allow the slower teams to catch up, surely? But again, the costs got stupid - Asking Bernie for a donation would break even him in a few years!..... 12 teams x ~$50MM per year is more than the sport generated last season! Cheers, Ian
Yes I filled out the survey. I love it when they ask the inmates to help run the asylum. I'll listen to cost arguments when a, they post honest revenue figures and 2, they justify the expense of a new engine spec. It all makes sense in a business context. It may even make sense in a sporting one as well on occasion. But let's be honest and admit which is the priority.
They asked, we answered. They're trying to improve the sport for us by giving us what we want....... If that improves the popularity of the sport & hence their profitability, so much the better for all IMO. We know the Pygmy is all about maximizing profit - Isn't that the job of any CEO? He does that via growing his business and love him or hate him, he's certainly done that over the years. Further, I'd say that all these countries lining up to host a race (and willing to pay the fee) want the racing close - Very few folk want to watch a re-run of the Schu's domination for example. Nothing wrong with a level playing field IMO. As for the new engines - I don't think the manufacturers are whining about the costs, and as I said, it is their ball after all...... Conversely, his idea that the teams make the rules really would be letting the inmates run the asylum! [They can't agree on the color of the sky, what chance of them agreeing rules?!...... ] Revenue figures attached below for your edification Cheers, Ian Image Unavailable, Please Login
I don't begrudge any man his profit and admire Bernie for his success but I'll never mistake him for a philanthropist nor a sportsman. Revenue is one indicator of success but it doesn't make MacDonald's great cuisine. I've seen those figures before but am quite wary of taking them at face value.
How many CEO's are? What "concerns" me a little is who's going to succeed him? I have a feeling we'll be rueing the loss of Bernie in a few years! "Remember the good old Bernie days?!"..... At least it was a sport back then!......" Hopefully, we'll get better data if/when they float the whole mess (?) Love the Mc'd analogy BTW. Cheers, Ian
In that case you will never miss Bernie... Unless I develop a unhealthy desire for spanking, and pay a short sharp trip to Bottieland.
+1 OTOH, there is a lot to be said for the devil you know....... Given that Bernie has often said he doesn't have an assistant - "I guess they could fetch coffee and send faxes" - I honestly believe it could be an issue..... The flotation will happen at some point and a "businessman" will take over the CEO role. Will it be someone with a "feel" for the sport? Grow the sport or simply rape us all a little harder than Bernie? Seriously, how they fill the void when he eventually goes is a concern - We may well look back at "the Bernie years" as the golden age! Cheers, Ian
I have no idea what will become of the sport if Bernie needs replacing. In fact I have little idea of what will happen to it if he doesn't. I suspect that the current business model is unsustainable in terms of growth and is likely being hyped in anticipation of the float. When that happens he may bid us adieu. While not exactly sanguine my best case scenario involves a phoenix.
How does the FIA police the testing ban? What if the teams test on some obscure track? Or is just the tracks they actually race on? Ago
No testing means NO TESTING - Anywhere! [Outside of a few straight-line aero tests like the one that caught out poor Maria recently] There's plenty of "obscure" FIA approved F1 tracks in Europe - A few of us have even driven on 'em. However, to your question; You can't "hide" an F1 team going testing - Someone, somewhere, will report it if you tried. Furthermore, it seems they just don't want to do it anyway. Cheers, Ian
