2253 replies to this topic

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

It's a bluff. I hope Mosely won't call on this bluff tho. Too much suspense for me!

Well between Ferrari, Renault, McLaren, Toyota, BMW and RBR/STR at least three (if not more) are not bluffing. If Mad Max wants to call the bluff he risks losing up to two-thirds of the existing F1 grid. If there are no manufacturers in F1 then I'm pretty confident the series is pretty much done with.

[_R_]

Well between Ferrari, Renault, McLaren, Toyota, BMW and RBR/STR at least three (if not more) are not bluffing. If Mad Max wants to call the bluff he risks losing up to two-thirds of the existing F1 grid. If there are no manufacturers in F1 then I'm pretty confident the series is pretty much done with.

I'm hoping Ferrari isn't bluffing, if the power house teams pull out... what's the draw of F1 at this point? Personally I'd quit watching if it was Williams, FI, BGP, USGP, Lola and whatever other team wants to join next year... it's be an upscaled GP2... this season it's fun watching BGP and RB take it to the big guys, but next season just watching them running around... not as interesting...

[Redliner]

Good points. F1 would only be a shell of its former self. It's crazy to think that Ferrari and FIA are at such a crossroads. It used to be that Ferrari was always aligned with the FIA and so the teams could never make a stance against the FIA. But now w/ the FIA against Ferrari...the teams have a lot more power behind their words. Their threats aren't as empty...

[_R_]

Good points. F1 would only be a shell of its former self. It's crazy to think that Ferrari and FIA are at such a crossroads. It used to be that Ferrari was always aligned with the FIA and so the teams could never make a stance against the FIA. But now w/ the FIA against Ferrari...the teams have a lot more power behind their words. Their threats aren't as empty...

well Ferrari and the FIA were buddy buddy when the FIA rule changes and stuff made sense... slow down the cars, cost cutting, rule changes...
but for the past couple seasons the FIA has just become completely detached and purely money hungry...

let's raise the super licence fees from a couple grand to a couple hundred grand for some drivers
oh and we'll put a a budget cap with less rules without consulting the teams
and asian and middle eastern races will now make up half the calendar cause they can pay more, travel costs to the teams be damned, we're cost cutting you know
and we'll have twilight and night races because more europeans can watch it, so ratings will be higher, who needs driver safety

[yonson]

Why can't they just go with this years rules and maybe just shitcan the KERS BS completely, IMHO this year has been

[_R_]

Why can't they just go with this years rules and maybe just shitcan the KERS BS completely, IMHO this year has been

just add in some cost cutting like I mentioned eariler, knock off 30% each season till 2012 or something...

also, here is the official press release

PRESS RELEASE

FERRARI'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES
THE FIRST QUARTER RESULTS:
TURNOVER 441 MILLION EURO
TRADING PROFIT 54 MILLION EURO

FERRARI CONFIRMS ITS OPPOSITION TO THE NEW
TECHNICAL REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY THE FIA AND DOES NOT INTEND ENTERING ITS CARS IN THE 2010 F1 CHAMPIONSHIP

Maranello 12 May 2009 – Ferrari's Board of Directors, chaired by Luca di Montezemolo, today analysed the first quarter results for 2009. Despite the current international economic climate, which has hit the automotive sector in particular, Ferrari's figures were in line with the record levels reached in 2008.

Turnover for the first three months was 441 million euro compared to 455.7 million euro over the same period in 2008. The first quarter closed with a trading profit of 54 million euro compared to last year's 59 million euro.

These results reflect the introduction of new models, in particular the success of the Ferrari California and the Scuderia Spider 16M, the constant growth in activities linked to the brand (e-commerce, licensing, merchandising and retail) and the company's continuing efforts to maximise efficiency.

The Board of Directors also examined developments related to recent decisions taken by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile during an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on 29 April 2009. 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.

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. 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. 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. 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.

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

[Shi]

Autosport seems to speculate on a A1GP switch

Many who remember the days when one, maximum two, motor manufacturers graced grand prix grids – usually as engine supplier, at that – wish for a return to days of team owner-engineers and fast thinking entrepreneurs. Budget caps, they say, will herald a return to the ‘good ole days', a time in Formula 1's history when ingenuity and not wallets reigned supreme, when F1 was fun, when politics were games played by dour-faced gents revelling in their inherited titles.

But, those who view the sport through rose-tinted spectacles need be exceedingly careful about what they wish for, for a wholesale departure of manufacturer teams is almost guaranteed to cause the sport to implode, so dependent has F1 become on their free-spending ways.


Bernie Ecclestone © LAT
F1's business model, honed in the immediate aftermath of the sale of F1's 100-year commercial rights to Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Group, has been structured around three primary income sources: TV broadcasting/electronic media rights, race hosting fees, and ‘other' – licensing rights to F1's commercial properties, track signage, merchandising and vending areas, hospitality and sundry revenue generators.

Almost simultaneously F1 attracted the automotive industry's big hitters rather than aspiring F3000 outfits – effectively excluded by dint of a daft $48m bond, which ensured that entry to F1 was closed to all bar the best-heeled multinationals. Thus, in rapid succession, Ford, Renault, Mercedes, Honda and BMW returned to F1, buying into, or outright, privateer teams to do so. Toyota was the sole start-up.

In the process they inherited (or, in Toyota's case, signed up to) the Concorde Agreement, which contractually bound them to F1 until end-2007. Rapidly they realised, though, that their presence made the Ecclestone family trust exceedingly rich, sowing the seeds for the GPWC/GPMA initiatives which sprung up, only to fade through disunity.

Initially Ecclestone welcomed them, for he realised that they spent big money in his Paddock Club, bought circuit signage, featured F1 in marketing programmes, rented expansive merchandising areas at astronomical cost, and, equally importantly, attracted sponsors and partners who, too, spent large sums on FOG's goods and services.

Now, though, the rules of engagement have acrimoniously changed, epitomised by their refusal to sign up to a new Concorde, and a suddenly united front with former turncoats Ferrari. Subsequently the manufacturers have been made increasingly unwelcome, for not only do they hold formidable collective power, but are also able to come and go as they please. As Honda did.

Matters came to a head with last week's release of the FIA's two-tier regulations, with Ferrari publicly threatening to exit F1 (having tabled the issue for this week's quarterly board meeting), and Toyota exclusively telling AUTOSPORT that "(we) believe we have been a good corporate citizen within the F1 environment, but now we must reflect long and hard on what we do in the future."

These two are not alone in reconsidering their F1 involvements, even if others have not been as vocal. Rumour has it that BMW, burnt by what it perceives as a tilted equivalence formula in the FIA's World Touring Car Championship, is considering exiting F1, whilst Renault's Flavio Briatore has already warned against ‘cheapening' the brand through the admission of budget teams.


Team principals meeting in Barcelona © LAT
"All cost-saving measures, including those which affect F1, must take into account its unique nature," he told Welt am Sonntag in Barcelona. "If we can find a solution, then the threats made by Ferrari and BMW (to exit) will disappear."

Note his reference to BMW, even if the German company elected to make no official comment...

In fact, the only manufacturer-backed outfit to shy away from confrontation is, understandably, the emasculated McLaren operation – presently racing under a 12-month suspended sentence for bringing the sport into disrepute. However, one can guess where this archetypical racing team's sentiments really lie.

Assuming no settlement is reached between FOTA and the FIA during the ‘urgent consultations' requested by the team collective, how would F1's primary revenue streams be affected if they exited F1 stage left?

Electronic Media Rights (±40% of F1's £900m annual revenue stream)

TV/radio broadcasts are beamed to around 160 countries, with certain territories enjoying twin feeds. In the main these are free-to-air broadcasts, subsidised by advertisers and sponsors. The primary funders of such transmissions are, logically, participating manufacturers, their networks and distributors, plus their partners - who, by their nature, are bigger spenders than those of the independents.

Would said advertisers have the same motivation to support race coverage featuring Brawn, Williams and Force India cars, plus a rag-tag collection of upgraded GP2 teams? Factor in the inevitable drop in audience ratings, and question why they would even wish to be seen on the same screen as, say, a Prodrive-Cosworth?

Thus broadcasters are likely to vote with their budgets (or even charge for airtime, as is the case with A1GP, of which more anon), which, in turn, would severely impact on F1's ability to properly remunerate the independents, placing their survival in doubt – resulting in a self-evident and vicious spiral.

Race Hosting Fees (40%)

Apart from the obvious fact that a grid full of Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, Renault and Toyota entries (with their world-class drivers) holds way greater attraction than a score of Cosworth-powered chassis built down to a budget cap, and that such grids attract supporters of the brands in addition to F1 fans, consider that manufacturers and sponsors heavily support – directly or via their networks – local grands prix.

Thus Mercedes sponsors massive grand stands at Germany's two circuits, thereby guaranteeing promoters a certain number of ticket sales. At Spa, Toyota Europe purchases tickets by the grandstand, whilst BMW dealers support events across the world, with the company's Race Club attracting thousands of fans. Who can forget the sight of that grandstand at Magny-Cours, always resplendent in Renault colours?


The Mercedes-Benz grandstand at Hockenheim © LAT
In Malaysia, wide swathes of Petronas caps are visible in Emerald seating areas, yet, come A1GP races at Sepang they are strangely absent – proving a point or two.

With F1 being Ferrari and vice-versa, the drop-off in attendance were the iconic brand to disappear is likely to be catastrophic. History provides a precedent: in 2005, when Ferrari endured a bum year, travel operators across Europe reported drops in business of around 20% - despite the Schumacher factor. Imagine now the effects without the driver and the team.

Estimates show that upwards of 30% of tickets are purchased by fans with some form of manufacturer interest – direct manufacturer/dealer support, marque clubs, sponsors/partners – and whilst some fans would no doubt patronise F1 Lite, many would have no motivation to attend. A (conservative) 20% stayaway factor equates to 20 000 seats at around £300 each equals £6m per race or around £100m per annum taken straight out of the F1 economy – further impacting on FOG's profitability and its ability to remunerate teams.

Already race attendances have declined approximately 40% due to prevailing economics (2007/8 Spain = 135,000 on race day, 2009 = 90,000; Australia similar percentage drops). Now imagine the effects of a further 20% drop on circuit viability, particularly where space-age monstrosities were built by governments to feed the frenzy generated by manufacturer interest.

Other (20%)

Here the manufacturer teams and their sponsors once again hold the whip hand: in the Paddock Club, the exclusive hospitality facility purchased by CVC Partners (de facto owners of F1's commercial rights) for an estimated £250m two years ago, the Big Five are responsible for ± 70% of business. Ditto merchandising, where the likes of Williams, Force India and Brawn have virtually zero presence, particularly given rentals within the zones of up to £80,000 per race!

Track signage, too, is mainly the preserve of major sponsors, although FOG has of late attracted numerous ‘outsiders' – although these are assuredly present through a desire of sharing track space with prestigious brands rather than GP2 cars... Equally, PSP and such intellectual property deals depend upon the allure of premium brands rather than no-name teams, some of which have swapped identities more regularly than they score points.

The foregoing proves that the manufacturer teams hold the economic aces, meaning that a mass withdrawal will likely result in the collapse of F1, certainly as it is structured at present. Should there be any doubt as to their clout, consider that the FIA's proposed budget cap has been specifically amended to exclude marketing costs – providing tacit admission of their value.


Parc ferme at Sakhir © LAT
The manufacturer teams have the pre-eminent drivers of this generation under contract – bar Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, which will be addressed shortly – they have the cars and kit (and, through the FIA's insistence, own the intellectual property thereto); they have big-spending sponsors, who have invariably elected to partner manufacturer teams due to the inherent B2B opportunities; in fact, they have everything bar a race series where they are made to feel welcome.

There exists a misconception that the withdrawal of manufacturers from F1 will result in their withdrawal from international motorsport, resulting in mass layoffs and mothballing (or sale) of their facilities. Not so according to Toyota team president John Howett, who states simply, "we'll just find somewhere else to race. We want to use motorsport as a means of promoting our brand and products."

Honda's withdrawal from F1 has not seen them exit the IRL or MotoGP, and equally it is unthinkable that BMW, Mercedes and Renault, let alone Ferrari, would totally desert motorsport – other series would simply benefit from their presence. The question, then, is where would they go were no settlement to be reached PDQ?

With Red Bull's Dietrich Mateschitz - once a staunch ally of Mosley, with whom he went snowboarding – stating this week that "If the proposed rules for 2010 remain unchanged, we (Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso) will not enter next year's championship" that makes it potentially seven teams seeking alternate playgrounds.

A further misconception is that no alternate series exists for them to enter with immediate effect, whilst sceptics suggest that they will not be able to formulate a breakaway series by 2010. All true – except that an off-the-shelf solution does exist, and, according to sources, has been investigated.

Ferrari (and therefore FOTA's president) has close ties to A1GP on account of supplying the technology for the cars introduced for the self-styled World Cup of Motorsport's latest season. It is no secret that the series has not taken off, and that it exists a hand-to-mouth basis whilst carrying a massive creditors book.

Having burnt through an estimated £600m since its inception in 2005 (with no real end to the haemorrhaging in sight), owners Antonio ‘Tony' Teixeira and the beleaguered RAB Capital vulture fund could be tempted to off-load A1GP for its lock-up value – £200m, or around £30m per breakaway team, coincidentally the same figure as the original budget cap against which they have kicked so violently, and approximately 10% of their current annual budgets.


A1GP racing at the Algarve circuit in Portugal
For their money they would acquire an FIA-approved series with the required international infrastructure, circuit contracts with the likes of Mugello, Kyalami, Portimao, Surfers' Paradise, Zandvoort, Brands Hatch and Sepang, with plans to go to Interlagos, Laguna Seca, Montreal and India. And, hang, one look at the Automobile Club de Monaco's long term commitment to the IRC rather than the FIA's WRC shows which way the principality may jump, particularly given the allure of Ferrari...

Factor in the immediate availability of one (or both) German circuits, Silverstone, Magny-Cours, Toyota-owned Fuji, the Red Bull-controlled A1-Ring and either Jerez or Valencia's permanent track, plus previous A1GP circuits such as Brno, Shanghai and Estoril, and a ready-made calendar stares one in the face, one in which the manufacturers can accommodate their own series (having sold or scrapped A1GP's race hardware), with support programmes made by their own junior formulae – FBMW, FRenault or even DTM and touring cars.

A1GP has a turn-key freight forwarding operation, race operations base, fully-fledged high definition TV operation with contracts in 160 countries and video streaming possibilities, race administration and a media centre in which internet outlets are welcome, the Pangea hospitality facility, merchandising contracts and, above all, a Michelin tyre deal.

Reflect for a moment on the manner in which the French tyre company was squeezed out, and imagine how gleeful it would be to once again partner a restructured Ferrari, BMW, Mercedes, Renault and Toyota – to the detriment of arch-rival Bridgestone, to whom Original Equipment contracts and partnerships are of eminently greater value than stickers on independent teams.

Whether this neat reversal of fortune for both F1 and A1GP at all comes to pass depends on the outcome of a series of meetings scheduled for the next week between the FIA and FOTA. But, according to one source in Barcelona, the chances are "Already better than 50%..." All the seven teams have to do is to enter three cars each, which will result in a 21-strong grid. Plus, of course, ticket and hospitality prices could also drop by at least 50%.

[Robert]

Very interesting decisions to be made, I think the manufacturers are bluffing too. Kind of like a big tantrum. They all act like spoiled rich kids when it comes right down to it. People like Bernie are too rich and old and conceded to not get their way. I believe he and MadMax would burn it to the ground before they relinquish any "power".

[Nacho]

I'd actually be quite for the teams buying up A1GP.

Half as expensive to go to races, races being in developed countries (Laguna Seca? ), more technical freedoms, etc. I just hope that Ross and Sir Frank can find a way to jump the gap with the other seven.

VJ can stay. :x

[vietlol]

f1 at laguna would be mad gay

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

Renault also reconsidering 2010 entry

By Pablo Elizalde Wednesday, May 13th 2009, 12:31 GMT

The Renault Formula 1 team has joined Ferrari in threatening not to enter the 2010 championship over the introduction of budget cap rules.

Just a day after the historic Italian marque said it will not enter F1 in the regulations remain unchanged, French manufacturer Renault has issued a statement saying it is "reconsidering its entry" in next year's championship.

Renault made it clear also that it was unhappy about the way the budget cap rules have been introduced by the FIA without consulting the teams, saying any such changes should be carried out in a progressive manner.

"There is frustration that FOTA's constructive proposals, including major cost saving measures to be adopted progressively between 2009 and 2012, which were carefully constructed by FOTA members, have been completely ignored without any form of consultation by the FIA with the teams," said Renault in a statement.

"It should be stressed that FOTA has set the same, if not lower, financial objective as the FIA, but Renault strongly believes that this must be introduced through a different procedure agreed by all parties.

"The decision of the Federation International de l'Automobile (FIA) to introduce two sets of Formula One technical regulations for the 2010 Formula One season has caused the Renault Group to reconsider its entry in next year's FIA Formula One World Championship.

"Renault also believes that it is paramount that the governance of the sport is coordinated with a spirit of consultation with all parties (FIA, FOM, FOTA) in order to achieve a better balance between the costs and the revenues. Renault is also of the firm view that all entrants in the World Championship must adhere to and operate under the same regulations."

Renault is the third Formula 1 manufacturer to officially threaten to leave the sport over the changes following Toyota and Ferrari.

Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz also said his teams will not participate next year if there were two sets of rules.

Renault's team principal Flavio Briatore said his team refused to accept the FIA's "unilateral governance" of the sport.

"Our aim is to reduce costs while maintaining the high standards that make Formula One one of the most prestigious brands on the market," he said. "We want to achieve this in a coordinated manner with the regulatory and commercial bodies, and we refuse to accept unilateral governance handed out by the FIA.

"If the decisions announced by the World Council on the 29th of April 2009 are not revised, we have no choice but to withdraw from the FIA Formula One World Championship at the end of 2009."

Renault team president Bernard Rey added: "Renault has always considered Formula 1 as the pinnacle of motor sport and the perfect stage to demonstrate technical excellence.

"We remain committed to the sport, however we cannot be involved in a championship operating with different sets of rules, and if such rules are put into effect, we will be forced to pull out at the end of this season."

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/75287


So now 'La Resistance' officially consists of Ferrari, Toyota, RBR, STR, Renault.. McLaren would have joined but they're afraid they'll get a 3-race suspension for copying Ferrari again...

[vietlol]

I wish they would all just stop with this bullshit drama and leave F1 alone


you max and bernie

[Redliner]

I wish they would all just stop with this bullshit drama and leave F1 alone


you max and bernie

There needs some stability in the rules. I've never watched a sport in my life where everything was so volatile. I can only imagine the Dallas Cowboys deflecting from the NFL to start its own football series...

[Robert]

Well Mad Max has a valid point and he knows it, the high cost hurts new entrants to the sport but the thing that continues to threaten F1's future is that he refuses to give at all. If sadomasochist photos of him acting out his SS fantasies don't back him down I doubt the FOTA will.

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

Well Mad Max has a valid point and he knows it, the high cost hurts new entrants to the sport but the thing that continues to threaten F1's future is that he refuses to give at all. If sadomasochist photos of him acting out his SS fantasies don't back him down I doubt the FOTA will.

everybody agrees that costs need to be cut, but doing it in one single cut is just not feasible. i know its hard for mad max to comprehend but he's asking for a budget cut of up to 80% for some of the top teams in one single offseason. what are the teams supposed to do? just suddenly lay off 80% of the workforce overnight?

they need to methodically ramp down and scale back formula 1's costs, but over time and with something more feasible to the companies. something like reduction of budgets by 20% per year over a 5 year span (with a final budget of ~33% of current budgets after the cost cutting) would be more doable than just doing a huge cost all at once.

[DrDickAction]

McLaren would have joined but they're afraid they'll get a 3-race suspension for copying Ferrari again...

[DrDickAction]

I'd actually be quite for the teams buying up A1GP.

Half as expensive to go to races, races being in developed countries (Laguna Seca? ), more technical freedoms, etc. I just hope that Ross and Sir Frank can find a way to jump the gap with the other seven.

VJ can stay. :x

I mean we can't even see the sport we love without leaving the fucking continent.

I'm happy if they come to some sort of agreement, but I'd be really fucking excited if there was a new series started.

f1 at laguna would be mad gay

[chiuey]

everybody agrees that costs need to be cut, but doing it in one single cut is just not feasible. i know its hard for mad max to comprehend but he's asking for a budget cut of up to 80% for some of the top teams in one single offseason. what are the teams supposed to do? just suddenly lay off 80% of the workforce overnight?

they need to methodically ramp down and scale back formula 1's costs, but over time and with something more feasible to the companies. something like reduction of budgets by 20% per year over a 5 year span (with a final budget of ~33% of current budgets after the cost cutting) would be more doable than just doing a huge cost all at once.

I agree that reducing the budget in steps is the best solution. One reasons for that is when they cut budget, people loose jobs. if they were to let go of so many people, one (not included cost) in the budget cuts, will be the compensations teams will have to pay the staff they let go. I mean look at why Honda didn't shut down the team? It would have cost them so much money that it was worth selling it to Brawn for 1 Euro instead. So doesn't the same apply to all the other teams?

[_R_]

Going to finally be able to jump in, 12 hour non stop work day sucks ass... just got home... anyways...

if they do buy A1GP, I hope they don't keep it as country oriented teams... that always seems a little gay to me... but what happens with the current F1 drivers? they just swap over?

Also, F1 at Laguna would be horrible, it would be like Monaco in terms of passing... having worked at MotoGP last year and having all access pass to the track, it's narrow, no real straights...

that said, i don't want a break away series or for any of this gay shit to happen, Mosley and Bernie need to get their heads out of their asses... Also, all the manufactures backed teams need to band together, do a "fuck you fuck you fuck you you're cool fuck you peace out" moment and leave for one season... let Moslet and Bernie fuck themselves over with no name teams and watch their $$$ disappear because no one is watching or wanting to pay... then let the teams come back and get things straight... I'd support a season absence to prove a point...

[chiuey]

Going to finally be able to jump in, 12 hour non stop work day sucks ass... just got home... anyways...

if they do buy A1GP, I hope they don't keep it as country oriented teams... that always seems a little gay to me... but what happens with the current F1 drivers? they just swap over?

Also, F1 at Laguna would be horrible, it would be like Monaco in terms of passing... having worked at MotoGP last year and having all access pass to the track, it's narrow, no real straights...

that said, i don't want a break away series or for any of this gay shit to happen, Mosley and Bernie need to get their heads out of their asses... Also, all the manufactures backed teams need to band together, do a "fuck you fuck you fuck you you're cool fuck you peace out" moment and leave for one season... let Moslet and Bernie fuck themselves over with no name teams and watch their $$$ disappear because no one is watching or wanting to pay... then let the teams come back and get things straight... I'd support a season absence to prove a point...

in theory what you said makes some sense, but as addicts how long do you really think any of us can last without F1? I can barely survive between october and march, nevermind a full year.....

[_R_]

in theory what you said makes some sense, but as addicts how long do you really think any of us can last without F1? I can barely survive between october and march, nevermind a full year.....

if it got F1 back on track without bullshit rule changes every single season then i honestly be able to deal with it... i'd prefer not to see F1 for a season to prove a point than let Bernie and Mosley get their was with the 2 tiered abomination of a series next season...

like said before, what other sport series has insane rule changes like this? I mean lets take football for example...

What if you got 2 teams, one has been around for years, we'll say the Cowboys... another is a brand new team, we'll call them the F1-Crew...

Cowboys get told they have to slash their budget by 80% to $40M by next season,if they don't, their protective gear they're allowed to use isn't really flexible and weighs 50lbs, their cleats have no spikes, they're only allowed to run at a max speed of 10mph, and they're only allowed to practice for a total of 50 hours during the off season...

mean while, the F1-Crew gets to sign up for the $40M budget, in return they get unlimited practice, their gear is carbon fiber and weights 5lbs, super flexible to make it easier to move, and their cleats have adjustable spikes to get optimum grip when running, and they can run as fast as they can, no max speed...

how fair do you think that game will be and would you really watch a series with bullshit like that?

[DrDickAction]

Also, F1 at Laguna would be horrible, it would be like Monaco in terms of passing... having worked at MotoGP last year and having all access pass to the track, it's narrow, no real straights...

I agree with everything you've said except this.

Beggers, choosers son. Better a race on a track that's hard to pass than closest race being IN FUCKING BRAZIL.

[vietlol]

not to mention laguna in an f1 car is a sub 1minute lap isnt it? it all adds up to a terrible idea

[tefnut]

i really don't get what the big deal is about changing the cost cutting plan from immediate big hit to graduated yearly decreases

achieves basically the same thing, but would give people time/options and make everyone happy

this is fucking retarded. bunch of idiots are running F1 into the ground

[chiuey]

i really don't get what the big deal is about changing the cost cutting plan from immediate big hit to graduated yearly decreases

achieves basically the same thing, but would give people time/options and make everyone happy

this is fucking retarded. bunch of idiots are running F1 into the ground

I think it's more the two tier racing league that the teams are up in arms about. Now they're just throwing in the time frame (for budget cuts) too, trying to kill two birds with one stone.