F1 heads meet again as deadline looms
Toyota's change of management could be the death knell for its F1 team
Today sees yet another meeting on the future of F1 as the teams and the FIA scramble to reach an accord before the FIA’s Friday deadline.
Williams’ decision to submit an entry for next year’s championship appears to signal a split in the F1 teams’ association. But are some teams preparing to take the opposite route and quit the sport entirely?
As the deadline draws closer there have been suggestions that some teams may choose to quit the sport entirely if they don’t get their way. Which ones are most likely to?
BMW
BMW’s dissatisfaction with another FIA-run series, the World Touring Car Championship, has driven them to breaking point. BMW had won four consecutive titles in the series with Andy Priaulx, but believe FIA rules changes have left them unable to compete.
The decisions taken were not communicated cleanly – that means competitors did not know what the situation was, and under which circumstances and conditions the other competitors were racing. This only became clear when there was a protest.
This was in reference to BMW being unaware what boost pressure rivals Seat were allowed to use. But it’s not difficult to see BMW’s grievances about differing technical regulations mirrored in the FIA’s controversial proposed two-tier system.
Simply put, BMW’s exasperation with the FIA’s governance may not be confined to the WTCC. Having compromised their 2008 F1 programme to develop their 2009 machine, but finding it uncompetitive partly thanks to the FIA’s handling of the diffuser rules, it’s not hard to imagine how they might be frustrated by the FIA.
It has spoken of competing in another touring car championship. Defecting to the DTM would put it up against its two major domestic rivals, Audi and Mercedes, which could serve as an alternative not just to the WTCC – but F1 as well.
Toyota
Toyota’s future in F1 was in doubt before the season began, especially so after the withdrawal of arch-rival Honda in December.
Over the winter team boss John Howett set the team a target of winning a race this year, coming off the back of seven seasons that yielded just eight podium finishes:
We have to win, I think that’s clear. This organisation really only exists to win so we have to realise that we need to really make a change and deliver some outstanding performance this year.
Toyota might have already delivered on that had it not been for the odd strategy in Bahrain. But since that race the team have bombed, finishing qualifying at Monaco with the two slowest times.
Next month Akio Toyoda, grandson of company founder Kiichiro Toyoda, will take over as chief executive of the company from Katsuaki Watanabe. Drastic changes are expected: in February the company projected a $3.5bn (£2.2bn/€2.5bn) loss for the last financial year – earlier this month it confirmed a figure of $4.4bn (£2.8bn/€3.1bn).
What chances, then, the future of what has been F1′s biggest-spending team for several years, which under Howett is arguing for the right to spend more than £40m per season?
Perhaps Williams’ decision to sign up to the 2010 rules gives us an inkling of what the future holds for Toyota’s F1 team. Williams’ Toyota engine contract is up for renewal this year. If Toyota are indeed on their way out of the sport, Williams will need a new engine deal, and the FIA’s customer Cosworth engines could be just the ticket.
Renault
Given their slump in form post-2006, and inability to capitalise on the new regulations to re-discover their form this year, it’s hardly a surprise that Fernando Alonso is being touted as a Ferrari driver in 2010.
Renault has received a €6bn (£5.5bn) bail out from Nicolas Sarkozy’s government – would it be politically wise to spend a chunk of that money on running an F1 team?
It has also lost primary sponsor ING, the Dutch bank which was also forced to turn to its government for help.
Read more: ING quits F1 – will Renault follow?
Ferrari
Have made a lot of threats about leaving F1, but where would their marketing presence be without it?
Would they get anything like the same kind of exotic appeal racing a diesel at Le Mans, or running an effective one-make series in the form of A1 Grand Prix?
In the wider economy some analysts are optimistically talking about ‘green shoots’ of recovery. But as has often been well observed in the past, motor sport tends to feel the full brunt of a recession long after it hits the headlines. The shockwaves travel through sponsors and manufacturers and eventually hit the teams in the form of slashed budgets.
Is that going to happen now? Can the teams, Mosley and Ecclestone reach a new deal that keeps the remaining manufacturers in the sport while enticing new teams in to replace those that will depart?
Which F1 teams do you think will still be competing in 2010? Cast your vote and have your say below:
Update: Sorry about the broken poll before – this has now been fixed!
Which teams will still be in F1 next year?
- Ferrari (68%)
- McLaren (83%)
- BMW (39%)
- Renault (44%)
- Toyota (24%)
- Williams (90%)
- Red Bull (76%)
- Toro Rosso (61%)
- Brawn GP (93%)
- Force India (83%)
Total Voters: 250
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Dougie said on 27th May 2009, 12:42
Really!?! There are still 110 points up for grabs and Jenson is only 16 points ahead. I guess that would explain why you are not racing in F1 if you give up that easily.
Rubbish! Force India is consistently closer to Brawn than any backmarker has been closer to the field leaders at any time in the history of the sport.
I don’t believe anyone is saying Button is THE most complete driver in F1 currently… Alonso I believe still has that mantle… however, Jenson is showing a maturity of driving that people probably didn’t believe he had, and has raised his game beyond all expectations. Last year people were saying Jenson is rubbish and Rubens was consistently beating him… now those same people are saying its the car and Rubens is being secretly given a supporting role… RUBBISH!!… in equal Ferraris Rubens beat Schumi on occasion… in equal Brawns Jenson is giving Rubens a hiding.
Should Jenson go on to take the title, he deserves it at least equally as much as any previous champion, more so than some I would say. Name me one champion who didn’t have one of the fastest cars on the grid?
S Hughes said on 27th May 2009, 12:55
Actually, Martin Brundle (of all people) has said that in his recent blog. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8067217.stm
It isn’t ONE of the fastest cars on the grid, it is THE fastest car on the grid. So how much do you rate Rubens? Is he really the second best driver on the grid? Ergo, is Jenson really the best driver on the grid? Last year, Rubens beat Jenson in a poor car, 11 points to 3. Surely the mark of a truly great driver is one who gets the most out of even a poor car, and doesn’t give up and shrug his shoulders while collecting his millions, which is what Jenson did last year. He’s just lucky lucky lucky.
James G said on 27th May 2009, 18:44
@ S Hughes
You wrote: ‘Surely the mark of a truly great driver is one who gets the most out of even a poor car.’
No, the mark of a great driver is someone who turns it on when he needs to turn it on and you can’t deny that he’s done that. Look at his qualifying times in Bahrain and Monaco for evidence of that.
Journeyer said on 27th May 2009, 12:53
That may be true, but do they have anything to show for it? Zero points say no.
The point is, Brawn may only be slightly ahead, but they are CONSTANTLY ahead. If they weren’t head and shoulders ahead of the rest, they wouldn’t have won 5 of the first 6 races.
Dougie said on 27th May 2009, 13:11
Journeyer (and SHughes),
On more than one occasion Red Bull have had the faster car, but their strategy let them down on all occasions bar China. Ferrari were faster in Monace but didn’t make the most of it.
What do you want here?? Brawn to mess up like everyone else, or should we be chastising the other teams to pull their acts together. Personally, I am applauding Brawn for showing them how it should be done, and was applauding Red Bull in the first few races as well because I saw potential but unfortunately they’ve dropped the ball a bit.
S Hughes said on 27th May 2009, 14:00
Dougie, at least here you are giving (justified) plaudits to the car and the team and not the driver!
Dougie said on 27th May 2009, 15:04
I though I had always said the winner is the best combination of team and driver!?! Here I am appluading the teams contribution, at other times I am applauding Jensons contribution.
If Ross & Nick are looking to sign Jenson for the “rest of his career”, and Ross (a man who has steered Schumacher through his career) has been very emotional and vocal in his surprise and praise of Jenson… then I think enough said.
S Hughes said on 27th May 2009, 15:32
Dougie
That says it all really. Ross is as “surprised” as the rest of us because it just don’t add up from his performances to date. And what about Rubens in second place? You haven’t addressed that yet.
Dougie said on 27th May 2009, 16:13
I have addressed why Rubens is second to Jenson (as Rubens has been throughout their time together) and also why the consistency of the Brawn team have allowed them to remain ahead of the sometimes faster cars around them.
Antifia said on 27th May 2009, 13:04
Come on Dougie. We have seen it all before (Williams 92 & 93, Ferrari 02 & 04). Brawn is in two states when compared to the rest: In some tracks they are ahead enough and in others they blow up the field. Don’t expect it to become any more competitive throughout the year (well, perhaps in the last races, when everything is already decided). When it comes to Barrichello being a rival, that won’t happen either. Believe what you want, but they have been racing in the same team for a few years with very similar results. Now, suddenly Button learned how to drive better or Rubens got rusty. Or, as I believe, Brawn decided that Rubens is the #2. Either way, no competition will come from that corner either.
S Hughes said on 27th May 2009, 13:10
Egggsactly!
John H said on 27th May 2009, 14:04
Or, as I believe, Brawn decided that Rubens is the #2
I know it’s your belief, but the facts really don’t add up with that one – perhaps Jenson is just a quicker driver who manages his tyres better..? I think there’s quite a lot of evidence to suggest this IMO.
Journeyer said on 27th May 2009, 13:12
Williams has been suspended from FOTA.
What on earth is FOTA thinking…!?
ajokay said on 27th May 2009, 14:33
Crazy. And I bet Williams don’t even care.
graigchq said on 27th May 2009, 13:13
I think that McLaren, Ferrari, Brawn, Renault and Williams will all be there in 2010, and surprisingly, i think Force India will stay put too. To be in a small team in the current situation does give them a hope for the future.
Lets say a budget cap is introduced, then the smaller teams all of a sudden have a very even playing field uopn which to fight.
That said, i thoroughly sympathise with Ferrari’s position, as Formula 1 IS supposed ot be the pinnacle of motor racing, and £40m means huge cutbacks for the biggest teams, and most importantly forced job losses which nobody wants at all.
Its a really interesting argument this, one which i am following and hope to see a resolution for very soon. I’d like to see all the teams compete next year, along with two or three newer ones, Lola, iSport for example. The extra competition is needed, as is fresh ideas and new ways of thinking around the problems they face. Taking away refuelling will definitely spice thigns up a bit, its just a shame that in this day and age, the most exciting racing comes from the lower ranks of motorsport: touring cars, GT1, LMP1 etc etc
i suppose this is testiment to how close the pack really is, when less then 2s a lap seperates 1st from 20th, and the entire race is conducted with the leading few cars arriving at the finish line seconds apart. How can this change? Obviously the FIA is trying, but new rules and arguments don’t directly translate into better more exciting racing in my view.
ON a side note, I’d like to see less talk of monaco being such a historic race, cos lets face it, its a procession EVERY year, SO much money is spent on it, yet since 1992 (think Mansell, Senna) we’ve known that you need to be CONSIDERABLY faster in order to overtake there, why do they still spend so much time on such a predictable and boring race? Where are the wider, faster tracks like Istanbul (probably my fave tilkedrome) where there are multiple racing lines drivers can take to try and gain an advantage over their competitors?
Dougie said on 27th May 2009, 13:14
Sorry but this is not the same as Ferrari or Williams.
As I’ve already said, Red Bull and Ferrari (even Toyota) have shown on at least one occassion each (more for RB) that they have the car to beat Brawn… but their strategy lets them down.
Could you say the same in 92, or 04??
Dougie said on 27th May 2009, 13:17
Where did you hear that Journeyer?
If its true, and I’ve no reason not to believe you, that is ridiculous! …and for me shows how the teams are completely not capable of running anything let alone a break away series!
Williams position on this is obvious… of course they are on the side of the teams and want unity and sensible rules… but either way they are here purely for F1, it is their bread and butter.
Journeyer said on 27th May 2009, 13:21
Dougie – it’s on all the F1 news outlets now, including Autosport.
What this does show though is that as things stand, you’re either with the FIA or FOTA. There is no middle ground, no gray area. If any of the other teams follow what Williams did, they’ll be forced to walk the plank…
Dougie said on 27th May 2009, 13:21
Williams Suspended from FOTA
S Hughes said on 27th May 2009, 13:53
I don’t blame FOTA. It’s meaningless to have meetings saying you will stick together against Mosley and his lackeys, then break ranks. What a mess!
Ronman said on 27th May 2009, 14:45
Fota Shmota… I;m not watching FOTA races in case they split… register that as a shot across the bow of LDM FOTA
Dougie said on 27th May 2009, 13:31
By your rules then Irvine was the second best driver on the grid in ’99… Patrese was the second best in ’92… Mike Hawthorn was the best driver on the grid way back when…
Every single Drivers Championship has been won by a combination of driver and car… the best combination won… this year is no different.
Honda gave up in 2008, not Jenson, the car did not suit him and there was next to no development to allow him to bring it closer to him. As far as 2008 goes Rubens versus Jenson… where they were both classified at the finish Jenson beat Rubens 6 races to 4… Rubens however (fortunately/luckily/through strategy/whatever) on 3 of those occasions got into the points.
persempre said on 27th May 2009, 13:54
I think many people underestimate the strength of feeling.
If there are no concessions by the FIA (& Bernie, too) then a number of teams may well not be there in 2010.
As to Ferrari. They have much more to turn to than the examples given. They already have several of their own events which take place around the world which could be expanded.
So far this month (& leaving aside F1 GPs) their cars have run at Mugello (Ferrari Challenge Italia); Fuji (Ferrari Festival of Japan); Imola (Ferrari Racing Days); the Mille Miglia; the FIA GT Championship; the American Le Mans Series & the Spanish Open GT Championship.
Next month they have the Historic Challenge at Le Vigeant & Challenge USA at Road America, Elkhart Lake as well as Le Mans & other events.
SixChannels said on 27th May 2009, 13:36
If Ferrari quits F1 than their would be no charm to F1 Racing it will loose a lots of Fans for sure!
Am afraid they will stay back next year with F1…
S Hughes said on 27th May 2009, 14:05
I agree, and I’m not even a Ferrari fan.
graigchq said on 27th May 2009, 13:39
very good point. and hopefully the end to this argument lol.
way i see it, Jensen could have been F1 world champion when he first joined the sport. Imagine if he had been pulled into F1 from the age of 10 like Lewis Hamilton was? It would be interesting to see how Lewis would perform in the Brawn car, as its well known that Jensen’s driving style is probably the smoothest and most precise of all the current drivers, which doesn’t always translate into fastest, but combination of driver and car (Brawn and Button) are showing that this car is built just right for him.
On this point, during the monaco race, when Massa was being told to stop cutting the curbs at the swimming pool chicane’s, look again at the line taken by Jensen through the same corners. Jensen has just one wheel over the curb, whereas massa was all four for several laps, the lap times show that they’re very similar, but we all know Jensen wasn’t pushing for fastest lap, he was avoiding fighting traffice ahead (and wisely so) leaving the ferrari’s having to really push to match the brawns lap times. Had Jensen a clear track in front of him, i suspect that he woudl have taken fastest lap no problem.
S Hughes said on 27th May 2009, 13:52
Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve.
Lewis got sponsorship because he won everything up to F1. I presume that’s what you mean when you say
When he didn’t win, which happened one year, he had to find sponsorship outside of McLaren. It wasn’t handed to him on a plate because of the goodness of Ron Dennis’ heart. Button had funding via his father who ran a karting team. He was better off than Lewis financially. BTW, please note you brought Lewis into this debate, NOT me.
Button is riding on the crest of the Brawn wave and it is ridiculous to assume he is there because he’s the best driver in F1 (as Brundle has said – did you notice the link?). I cannot imagine anyone could carry on saying such a thing. I ask you again, is Rubens the second best driver this year?
Dougie said on 27th May 2009, 13:39
James Allens view on the Williams suspension from FOTA, an interesting read.
Alex Bkk said on 27th May 2009, 13:43
I’m not touching that poll with a barge pole;)
Alex Bkk said on 27th May 2009, 13:46
I see only resolution to this current quagmire, Max has to go.
S Hughes said on 27th May 2009, 14:05
The ONLY solution in my view!
persempre said on 27th May 2009, 14:09
& into Max` place we`d get …….. Tony Purnell? He hasn`t had the most tactful approach to all this, either
Dougie said on 27th May 2009, 14:16
exactly.
For me.. okay, so Max may set up his stall in a way to get peoples backs up… but it does focus the minds of the teams and gets them talking together and with him… as always happened in the past, and is happening here, Max’s stall will look much different when all is done and everyone is happy.
That is good for the teams, for the FIA, for FOM, and for F1 all round.
Alex Bkk said on 27th May 2009, 15:07
I’m not sure…but Max is clearly insane. BMW, Toyota Ferrari (aka Fiat) and Renault are about to say “bye bye”. Yes, there is a rescission, but it wont last forever. It may seem logical to say they are quitting because of the said economic conditions, but I’d daresay that Honda is ready to fall on their swords. Well, so much for predicting F1. Go Figure? Tony is someone I know nothing about…as a Ferrari fan, I nominate Ron Dennis as the head of the F.I.A.
Cheers Mate;)