F1 Reports

[Boxer]

I agree it needs a good sorting out. Better than a loss of teams and/or a seperate spin off. If I were the manufactures I would try and get the cap set at 50 Million, adjustable by some average cost factor, no set engine or chassis, more freedom of aero packages and greater tire selection. Would make for better racing I think. Then take their extra funds and focus on ALMS & LMS racing. Especialy the GT2 class since most car buyers can associate with those cars more.

It is a delicate balance. They need to be able to set up a structure where teams can still invest a considerable amount to develop leading edge technology but still have a cap so it is just not a money contest.

MLBs system of taxing payroll above a certain $ amount with the proceeds going to the low spending teams might make a lot of sense for F1.

[Ackmann]

It is a delicate balance. They need to be able to set up a structure where teams can still invest a considerable amount to develop leading edge technology but still have a cap so it is just not a money contest.

MLBs system of taxing payroll above a certain $ amount with the proceeds going to the low spending teams might make a lot of sense for F1.

Actually, that is quite interesting. Would be something worth considering really. I dont like the teams hands to be tied or we all loose as far as development, but I still would like to see it be very competetive. Perhaps they could yellow flag it every few laps like nascar so we can see more wrecks and more passing? LOLOLOL Just kidding, that would be awefull.

[Ackmann]

Spain Test Results

Spanish GP - Friday - Practice Session 2 Results

Friday Practice Session 2
POS DRIVER NATIONALITY ENTRANT TIME
1. Nico Rosberg Germany Williams-Toyota 1:21.588
2. Kazuki Nakajima Japan Williams-Toyota 1:21.740
3. Fernando Alonso Spain Renault 1:21.781
4. Rubens Barrichello Brazil Brawn GP-Mercedes 1:21.843
5. Mark Webber Australia Red Bull-Renault 1:22.027
6. Jenson Button Britain Brawn GP-Mercedes 1:22.052
7. Sebastian Vettel Germany Red Bull-Renault 1:22.082
8. Nelson Piquet Brazil Renault 1:22.349
9. Sebastien Buemi Switzerland Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:22.571
10. Kimi Raikkonen Finland Ferrari 1:22.599
11. Sebastien Bourdais France Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:22.615
12. Giancarlo Fisichella Italy Force India-Mercedes 1:22.670
13. Lewis Hamilton Britain McLaren-Mercedes 1:22.809
14. Heikki Kovalainen Finland McLaren-Mercedes 1:22.876
15. Felipe Massa Brazil Ferrari 1:22.878
16. Robert Kubica Poland BMW Sauber 1:22.948
17. Nick Heidfeld Germany BMW Sauber 1:23.173
18. Timo Glock Germany Toyota 1:23.360
19. Jarno Trulli Italy Toyota 1:23.623
20. Adrian Sutil Germany Force India-Mercedes No Time

[Ackmann]

Despain take on F1 Budget Cap

http://www.speedtv.com/video/popup/20864602001

Check out Despains take on F1 Cap and the Spain GP results videos.

[Boxer]

Ferrari definitely has made major improvements to the F60 but still not good enough to win. Hamilton seemed very pissed in the post race interview, really crapped all over McLaren.

[Ackmann]

Ferrari threatens to leave F1 in 2010

By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, May 12th 2009, 14:53 GMT


Ferrari has confirmed that it will not enter next year's world championship unless plans for a voluntary £40 million budget cap are changed.

Although the team had expressed private reservations about the rule changes and governing processes for 2010, it finally went public with its intentions in a statement issued following a board meeting at Maranello on Tuesday afternoon.

"The same rules for all teams, stability of regulations, the continuity of the FOTA's endeavours to methodically and progressively reduce costs, and governance of Formula 1 are the priorities for the future," said the statement.

"If these indispensable principles are not respected and if the regulations adopted for 2010 will not change, then Ferrari does not intend to enter its cars in the next Formula 1 world championship. "

Entries for the 2010 world championship close on May 29, with Toyota and Red Bull's two F1 teams having already announced in public that they will not enter if the rules remain unchanged.

It is thought likely that the other manufacturer teams will also join a 'boycott' of lodging an entry by the deadline - with only the current independents Brawn GP, Williams and Force India outfits set to apply.

As with other teams, Ferrari's main cause of concern is the possibility of a two-tier F1 - which would come into force should some teams adopt to run under budget cap restrictions next year while others choose unrestricted finances.

Regarding the FIA's World Motor Sport Council meeting on April 29 that ratified the 2010 regulations, the Ferrari statement said: "Although this meeting was originally called only to examine a disciplinary matter, the decisions taken mean that, for the first time ever in Formula 1, the 2010 season will see the introduction of two different sets of regulations based on arbitrary technical rules and economic parameters.

"The Board considers that if this is the regulatory framework for Formula 1 in the future, then the reasons underlying Ferrari's uninterrupted participation in the world championship over the last 60 years – the only constructor to have taken part ever since its inception in 1950 – would come to a close."

Although Ferrari is totally opposed to a two-tier F1 system, and has questioned whether or not it is possible for a £40 million budget cap to be introduced next year, the Italian outfit is also concerned about governance of the sport.

As well as being unhappy about the way the rules were pushed through last year, Ferrari thinks there has not been enough consultation with the teams.

"The Board also expressed its disappointment about the methods adopted by the FIA in taking decisions of such a serious nature and its refusal to effectively reach an understanding with constructors and teams," added the statement.

"The rules of governance that have contributed to the development of Formula 1 over the last 25 years have been disregarded, as have the binding contractual obligations between Ferrari and the FIA itself regarding the stability of the regulations."

In light of the developments regarding next year's entry, Ferrari said its president Luca di Montezemolo had been told to look at alternative activities for the racing team.

"Ferrari trusts that its many fans worldwide will understand that this difficult decision is coherent with the Scuderia's approach to motor sport and to Formula 1 in particular, always seeking to promote its sporting and technical values," said the statement.

"The Chairman of the Board of Directors was mandated to evaluate the most suitable ways and methods to protect the company's interests."

Despite Ferrari's strong stance, the FIA said earlier today that it was optimistic a solution to the matter could be found soon. Di Montezemolo is expected to meet with FIA president Max Mosley in the next few days to discuss the situation.

[Boxer]

Classic Ferrari. Enzo used to do this on occassion. Now they will start to negotiate.

[Ackmann]

Classic Ferrari. Enzo used to do this on occassion. Now they will start to negotiate.

Your probably right. I'm sure the FIA will make some type of adjustment to entice Ferrari to take the lead and lead the teams into a fair settlement.

[LeManns67]

Looks like Renault is on board with Ferrari

Renault to follow Ferrari

Nelson Piquet, Spanish GP 2009
© The Cahier Archive
The French newspaper Le Figaro is reporting that Renault will soon come out in support of Ferrari, Toyota and the Red Bulls teams in saying that they will not enter the 2010 World Championship unless the FIA changes its regulations. They are not opposed to the budget cap, but object to the way it has been introduced and the two-tier system that the FIA wishes to create. Le Figaro says that Renault will announce the same decision today. It is believed that the other manufacturer teams will follow. They have agreed that budgets should come down to around $100m in the next two or three years. The FIA argues that this is not enough because there are no guarantees that the manufacturers will stay and unless the budget cap is lower there will be no new teams to replace them when they leave.

[Boxer]

Renault to follow Ferrari

Nelson Piquet, Spanish GP 2009
© The Cahier Archive
The French newspaper Le Figaro is reporting that Renault will soon come out in support of Ferrari, Toyota and the Red Bulls teams in saying that they will not enter the 2010 World Championship unless the FIA changes its regulations. They are not opposed to the budget cap, but object to the way it has been introduced and the two-tier system that the FIA wishes to create. Le Figaro says that Renault will announce the same decision today. It is believed that the other manufacturer teams will follow. They have agreed that budgets should come down to around $100m in the next two or three years. The FIA argues that this is not enough because there are no guarantees that the manufacturers will stay and unless the budget cap is lower there will be no new teams to replace them when they leave.

Not at all surprised. I expect the German teams will also join ranks with Ferrari shortly.

[Ackmann]

Yes, I agree! the more teams that follow suit the greater chance they have to force the FIA to change the rules in th eteams favor. We have seen a real power struggle between the teams and the FIA for awhile. This is their best chance to unite and FORCE the FIA to give into their demands. If it's only a couple of teams they will probably just get a little more money but not the removal of the two team rules.

[Boxer]

If you step back and look at the whole picture on a "value added" basis, the FIA brrings very little to the party (just the rules), Bernie's F1 organization slightly more (they organize the events and bring in TV/Sponsor $$$), but the majority is provided by the teams. Hence they are the ones who should be in control and call ing the shots. Put another way, the teams could all walk and set up an alternative series fairly easily but it would be near impossible for either F1 or the FIA to put together a new set of teams if the current walked.

If I was Bernie, I would settle soon.

[Ackmann]

Ecclestone: Two-tier will be scrapped

Ecclestone: Two-tier will be scrapped

By Matt Beer Sunday, May 17th 2009, 09:42 GMT


Bernie Ecclestone says that although Friday's crunch meeting between the teams and the FIA ended in stalemate over the budget cap, both parties did agree that the controversial two-tier system should not go ahead.

Formula 1's commercial rights holder also believes that the chances of any of the current teams carrying out their threats not to participate in the 2010 world championship are slim.

Under the current 2010 rules, teams can choose to either adhere to a £40 million budget cap and enjoy greater technical freedom, or continue to spend freely but run to more restrictive regulations, which some teams have estimated would leave them up to three seconds per lap slower than the capped teams.

The prospect of two parallel sets of rules was one of the main sticking points between the teams and the governing body, but Ecclestone believes the two-tier system is now highly unlikely to proceed.

"I think the most important thing that upset everybody, they didn't like, was this two-tier technical system, so I think it has been agreed that we shouldn't have that. We should have just one set of regulations," he told the BBC.

"I think everybody is more or less happy with the budget cap. Just how much. They'll go with it higher [than £40 million], maybe it'll be lower. It's a case of just sorting it out.

"Everyone will be under the same regulations."

He added that he had his own misgivings about the two-tier proposal.

"I always thought that was a bit stupid," Ecclestone was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "It was important to get rid of it."

If the two-tier proposal was shelved, Ecclestone had no doubt that the teams currently planning to withhold their 2010 entries would return to the fold.

"I am confident all the teams will still be racing next year," he said.

[Boxer]

Even quicker than I anticipated. Bernie is getting soft in his old age.

[Ackmann]

Interesting story about Toyota, F1 Team in Trouble?

A revolution coming at Toyota?

The word from Japan is that the Toyota Motor Company is about to announce a massive restructuring, following the loss of $7.7bn in the first quarter of the year. It is said that 40% of the senior management of the company will be dropped when new chief executive Akio Toyoda takes control on June 1. He will be the first member of the firm's founding family to have the top job for 14 years, but will be the sixth to hold that position. It is felt within the family that the company has drifted away from its traditional values in the last few years and the change in management is designed to alter the way of thinking within the empire. There are 30 members of the Toyota board of directors, but more than half of them are over 60. Tadashi Yamashina, the head of the motorsport division, is on the board but is one of the younger generation at 57. He says that he has the support of Toyoda for the company to continue in F1 but he admits that things could change given the current state of the automobile markets of the world. Things will become clearer after Toyoda takes control.