re: The Official F1 Thread
Cape, whatever Mosley has done or said in the past is now irrelevant. He is now saying that costs in F1 need to be reduced, and he is spot on. But there are a few things I disagree with...
Then lets go onto the engines. From as many V10's engines as you like in a weekend, to a whole new concept of V8's ... from 1 engine a weekend, through to 1 engine for 2 weekends and soon to be 3 weekends for 1 engine.
The idea behind implementing V8 engines was sound, as was the idea of making them last for longer. While the initial development costs of long-lasting engines would have been high, the long term benefits of reduced build costs have to be considered. V8's are naturally cheaper to run. Engines that last longer means less engines per season. Result for both = cheaper in the long run. Certainly less wasteful too.
Oh, and what about the comical KERS of which teams have spent millions of dollars on, which you don't even have to use in 2009 just because Mosley wants a "green" image associated with F1, a system in which Toyota and Honda knew extensively about?
Oh please. If there's no incentive for the big companies (Toyota, Honda, Renault) to stay there, then they leave. Having road relevant technologies in F1 not only gives the company experience in developing things for road cars, but it also gives them a good image. For instance, Mercedes-Benz with all their safety hooplah. This green thing is not a dream of Mosley's that he jerks off to for fun, this is a necessary and damn good idea for F1. KERS provides an incentive for big business to participate in F1. This is what's needed. People want green, companies want green, Formula One HAS to go green. The fact that Honda have pulled out shows that if there's no incentive then a company will leave. Honda was losing money, F1 currently offers no prospect of an upswing to their business, so they pulled out.
If F1 wants to survive the current economic crisis, the biggest one since the Great Depression I read somewhere, then it has to adapt and cut costs dramatically. All teams ought to be forced to use the Cosworth engine and drivetrain at least until it's viable not to. Engines and gearboxes should last as long as possible if this is the most economic decision (I'm guessing that it is, since it's going forth). Same goes for tires (although tires are dirt cheap compared to engine and chassis). Drivers ought to be paid a helluva lot less. I'd also imagine that it's expensive to travel overseas, so maybe more races should be held in Europe (bring back the likes of Imola, Brands-Hatch and whatever else)
Some big companies (probably Toyota and Renault) might leave but because the costs will be reduced, it seems likely that smaller teams or individuals could once again enter F1. The likes of Jordan would be able to return and keep F1 going.
I've only been watching for a year admittedly but even I can recognise that things are gonna have to change.
Get the fuck rid of Ecclestone too. The man is an idiot and a giant weight on the back of F1.
