Comments on: F1′s new reason for cost cutting

By: Steven Roy

Steven Roy — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:41:27 +0000

I have to agree with Keith’s original point that the caps are there to give the manufacturer’s an asy ride with their shareholders. The interesting thing is Toyota has spoken out against them this week which is contrary to previous FIA rhetoric. Not surprising really. If you have more money than anyone else and you can’t put a decent car together you are hardly going to want to compete on (pseudo)equal terms.

By: Alianora La Canta

Alianora La Canta — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:43:42 +0000

Budget caps are unenforceable for those who need them most, as it would be incredibly easy for the manufacturers to hide their R&D costs in their road division (well, Max is encouraging them to be more road-relevant…). The corporates can hide a few (but not many) costs, while the independents can’t hide much of anything. So budget caps will increase the skewed nature of F1 funding rather than decrease it.

By: milos

milos — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:55:03 +0000

I think F1 team could use the last Cosworth V8s. The engines were frozen at the development stage as per Suzuka 2006 if I remember correctly, and by then Cossie V8 still mumbled at the back of Williams F1 car.

By: AmericanTifosi

AmericanTifosi — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:55:01 +0000

If “green racing” gets in the way of real racing I will fid another sport, and I do not say that lightly.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:21:52 +0000

In terms of the budget cap… I trust the FIA’s accountants a lot more then their technical regulatory people. You only need to look as far as Interlagos last year (faulty fuel temperature devices), Spygate (enough said), Fuji last year (couldn’t figure out that it was too wet to race), and all the pointless regulations (see previous engine related posts.)

Personally I am neutral on the subject. There are distinct advantages and disadvantages. One thing is for certain, at least we know that Max, Bernie, and the rest of FIA leadership knows how to count money and have a better grasp of it then the technology, history and fans of their own sport.

By: Keith Collantine

Keith Collantine — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:11:34 +0000

Nagajima….. Naga-who?

Funny you should say that... Video: Kazuki Nakajima interview

By: alan

alan — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:47:23 +0000

F1 being at the fore front of technology – more like being strangled by regulations and the bean counters – bypassing the actual racing arm of the manufacturers – more like speaking to people who like corporate hospitality more than what speed the cars can run/lap/brake etc
As for teams using other sports – mentioned that ages ago when ferrari take over A1 – they can get all the computer/hardware info they can handle with no opposition at all – ferrari wet dream(sorry not) – mad max and his little pal – need to go – but they wont go and the present bunch of teams dont have any mavericks spirit left in them after max made an example of mclaren – be good boys and you can play with your toys – pompous man makes me sick

By: George

George — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:24:46 +0000

An overall budget cap seems to be the way to go, at least for me. Granted loopholes need to be closed, but at least the team will have some say in how it allocates it’s budget; aero testing, engine enhancements, transmissions, hydraulics, etc.

The key is setting a fair budget number and include a separate cap on driver’s salaries and a maximum cost for customer engines. And make customer teams pay for their customer engines, that may allow Cosworth back into the game.

By: Steven Roy

Steven Roy — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:39:34 +0000

The really stupid thing about energy recovery devices is that a few years ago McLaren developed one and it was banned before it raced. If they had let it race then everyone would have them now and we would be a long way to developing something that was relevant to road cars.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:21:03 +0000

I think it has gotten to the point where Max and Bernie because of senility just don’t listen to anyone; whether it is the fans, teams, manufactures…

The engine manufactures debate is a perfect example. When the manufactures gave recommendations on the new rules they said a lot things that make sense… energy recapture devices, switching to biofuels, and other “green” technologies in addition to free engine development. So what does the FIA do… slap a 10 year ban of the engines development. Isn’t F1 supposed to be the height of technology? There is an old saying that you cannot regulate innovation. How are teams supposed to make the sport greener and push the technology when development is frozen?