In the round-up: Force India owner Vijay Mallya says Sergio Perez will be retained alongside Nico Hulkenberg for 2015.
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Force India have exercised option on Perez – Mallya (Reuters)
“We are talking about one additional year. We had an option that was signed as part of his original contract, we have exercised the option.”
Monisha Kaltenborn ‘F1 has enough money to save teams’ (BBC)
“We spend millions, have income of more than that and yet there is a team that is so desperate and has to go out and take such measures. I don’t understand why there is not that kind of sympathy.”
Fair distribution of revenues must to solve F1 crisis: Mallya (The Times of India)
“You could run 30 cars with that kind of money. $900 million is more than sufficient to cover all teams. So the revenue generation is very generous, the way it is being distributed is something that needs to be fixed.”
Horner slams crowdfunding (Sky)
“The fans pay to be entertained by the teams, they shouldn’t be having to pay for a team. The concept of that is wrong and shouldn’t be allowed.”
Lewis Hamilton puts surge towards F1 title down to ‘kick up the backside’ from his dad (The Mirror)
“When I used to kart my dad used to say ‘take no prisoners’. He came to Monza and said it again. It’s not that I wasn’t doing that already but it was almost like a kick up the backside.”
New York court upholds dismissal of $650m suit against Bernie Ecclestone (The Guardian)
“A New York appeals court has upheld the dismissal of a $650m (£410m) lawsuit against the Formula One chief executive, Bernie Ecclestone, saying he cannot be sued in the state’s courts over the sale of a major stake in the motor racing business.”
David Coulthard’s inside track (The Telegraph)
“Bluntly speaking, the team and Ron Dennis view drivers as light bulbs. Ron has always liked headline drivers, and Fernando Alonso seems to fit that bill.”
Tweets
Proud of being part of a TEAM of fantastic racers, none more so that one exceptional racer. #JB17 pic.twitter.com/pnegGhyJW7
— Dave Greenwood (@Dave_Greenwood) November 7, 2014
Truly sorry for my friends at @Marussia_F1Team Did so much with so little.True competitors and a shame that the grid loses another
— Riad Asmat (@riadasmat) November 7, 2014
Heard today about a loyal Marussia supplier, unpaid for months, who may end up losing his house as a result of the team's collapse
— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) November 7, 2014
With the money Bernie paid to get out of his bribery trial, he could have bailed out @CaterhamF1 42 times.
— Sean Kelly (@virtualstatman) November 7, 2014
Bizarre decision by #Marussia administrator today. Question motivation of statement given only had to decide about staff redundancy. (1/2)
— Oliver Weingarten (@OWeingarten) November 7, 2014
A cynic may note that a liquidation is far more lucrative to an Insolvency Practitioner than a CVA. Talk about frightening investors! (2/2)
— Oliver Weingarten (@OWeingarten) November 7, 2014
This cynical crowd funding ploy from Caterham's administrators makes me sick to my stomach. Preying on fan kindness. Almost 200k donated.
— The Buxton Blog (@thebuxtonblog) November 7, 2014
Look at way @Marussia_F1Team has conducted itself in public compared to @CaterhamF1 – chalk and cheese. #dignity #F1
— Em Bearpark (@EmBearpark) November 7, 2014
It's first run in17 years. pic.twitter.com/tUJW9jxU12
— Dickie Stanford (@dickiestanford) November 7, 2014
- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Comment of the day
Caterham’s crowdfunding drive has already reached six figures, but a lot of people aren’t convinced it’s a proper way to save the team:
So we (F1 fans) are already paying a lot of money to see races in live and on TV because CVC asks tracks a lot of money, and now Caterham want us to pay for them because CVC takes too much of the money F1 generates?
No way I’m giving a single dollar.
@Francorchamps17
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On this day in F1
Four years ago today Red Bull had wrapped up the constructors’ championship but were in danger of seeing their drivers miss out on the title:
Image © Force India
Chris (@tophercheese21)
8th November 2014, 0:04
That Sean Kelly tweet just says it all really. Wow.
Strontium (@strontium)
8th November 2014, 0:14
@tophercheese2 Absolutely. And Marussia.
Funkyf1 (@funkyf1)
8th November 2014, 0:20
I concur and the one from Adam Cooper shows how innocent people can fall from others greed.
It would be nice to see all the teams unite and boycott a round and force a resolution. Unfortunately the big teams don’t want or need it and neither does CVC/Bernie.
Duct tape fixes everything!
hunocsi (@hunocsi)
8th November 2014, 0:24
But I think Caterham’s need for cash is just for one race, in which case it’s bailing them out for 42 races…
ColdFly F1 (@)
8th November 2014, 0:13
Expected outcome 2014 World Driver Championship
In 2014 Hamilton has finished mostly 1st (10x) or DNF (3x). Rosberg on the other hand was most likely to finish 2nd (10x) and then 1st (4x).
Therefore statistically, Hamilton will finish 1st this race and DNF next, with Rosberg coming 2nd this weekend and 1st in Abu Doubli.
Thus in line with statics Rosberg will be World Champion this year with a 19pt lead over Hamilton.
(source: ‘How to Lie with Statistics’ ISBN 0-393-31072-8; 2014 F1 results)
reiter (@reiter)
8th November 2014, 2:42
That’s not how stochastic processes work :P Especially not when such a huge amount of variables come into place when working with a Formula 1 car!
Nin13 (@nin13)
8th November 2014, 3:59
Hamilton has retired 3 times this season from race and Rosberg twice.
So ideally Rosberg should get 1 more DNF and 2 more mechanical problems in qualifying as Hamilton had.
On other side, Hamilton is using last gearbox for this race and gets new one for next and Rosberg uses for 6th race during Aby Dhabi. Power Unit wise they are similar.
bag0 (@bag0)
8th November 2014, 7:24
@coldfly, @reiter, @nin13
Homework for those with a wierd wired mind:)
They say “you are only as good as your last race”.
That implies, a drivers race result could be viewed as a first order Markov chain.
Create a two state automaton, with one state saying X driver is first, and the other state X driver is not first. Use the qualy results from the season to approxiamte the initial probabilities, then check the progress of the race results race-by-race to approximate the transitional probabilities. If you have all of that, you have created a first order Markov model, and you can check which result would be the most probable at the next race.
More educated(fanatic) readers should try to expand the system with more states for more drivers.
ColdFly F1 (@)
8th November 2014, 8:41
@bag0, great together we can build that model and beat the bookies.
It could be a ‘non-Markov’ chain though, as @nin13 suggested not just the current state but also the history of gearbox usage could impact the outcomes ;)
Johnny Five
8th November 2014, 8:58
Don’t you also need a handfull of tea-leaves, a couple of chicken feathers, and maybe a bit of wet seaweed to refine your predictions? Where’s the World Cup psychic octopus when you need him?
bag0 (@bag0)
8th November 2014, 8:59
There is more to it, a simple statistical model could only work if every driver had the same constant car with perfect conditions. It is not possible to create such a model that can predict the outcome, as the disadvantage of a gearbox change would not be the same for Mercedes and any other team. Even if you are just modeling head-to-head, the possibility and the timing of a SC could render any previous penalty an advantage.
Strontium (@strontium)
8th November 2014, 0:16
What annoys me most about this is that CVC and Bernie Ecclestone are getting most of the money for organising some parts of F1 and aiming some cameras, while half of the teams which actually do the competing, important bit that actually is the racing itself, get nowhere near enough to do that.
And it’s not just the very back teams. Force India have done an absolutely amazing job these past few years, but they cannot progress any further forward because the amount of prize money they get does not reward them enough.
Robbie (@robbie)
8th November 2014, 13:26
@strontium While I’m with everyone about better money distribution, and now BE is even admitting that is an issue yet in the Mallya article he says he can’t do anything about it, I would exercise caution with this.
BE and CVC don’t just ‘organize some parts of F1 and aim some cameras’. They are F1. Sure the teams do the competing, but they are lucky to have this avenue to compete in, and they had to show that they were going to be a viable and sustainable entity in order to even get into F1 to begin with. Teams that enter F1 are doing so for the love of it and the marketing impact for their sponsors which affects their brands globally, which is why they wanted to be in F1 to begin with. Are you sure Force India cannot progress strictly because of the prize money or lack thereof? If they are doing an absolutely amazing job then why aren’t they garnering more sponsors and keeping their heads above water that way? Perhaps better money distribution needs to go hand in hand with a better product that will attract more interest from potential sponsors.
Don’t get me wrong…I’m no expert, and if the solution is better money distributions I get that and am fine with that (like it matters if I’m not lol) but I get uncomfortable when I read tweets calling for bailouts of teams. Why do they deserve it and where do you draw the line with that? If bailouts and F1 money are the only way for them to survive, perhaps F1 is not for them. Are racing series of all kinds globally, there for teams to be guaranteed profit? Or are they there as sporting entities that allow folks to put together teams and go do what they love, voluntarily having entered the series upon meeting the criteria, and benefitting from their sponsors’ exposure to a market at the same time. If profit was guaranteed BE and all other race series’ managers would be having to beat potential new teams off with a stick.
Mainly I just would not want to see good money after bad, and that to me is usually what bailouts mean. I would hope that if the result ultimately is that money will be forthcoming to save the day, these struggling teams must also show that they have been and will manage their money well and deserve it. Not saying they haven’t been, and don’t, but if I’m cutting the cheque I want to be sure.
Paul (@frankjaeger)
8th November 2014, 0:24
Hmm I don’t like Horner’s approach to the politics of F1. He’s looking a better fit for Bernie’s successor day by day.
Yes, Caterham’s final desperate attempt at survival is somewhat irresponsible on the face of it because they are almost definitely doomed but I think the bigger issue I have with Horner’s remark is the God awful amount people have to pay to follow F1 (sky sports/f1 app/attending race weekends) If these were cheaper, crowd funding a team wouldn’t be as frowned upon. Moreover, it goes to show the lengths some teams have to go to merely survive in this sport. I’d be more inclined to support a team that have broken into F1 in less conventional means
@HoHum (@hohum)
8th November 2014, 2:26
I agree with what Horner says, right up till the last word “…. the concept is wrong and shouldn’t be allowed”, if ” NECESSARY ” were substituted for “ALLOWED” I would totally agree with him.
socksolid (@socksolid)
8th November 2014, 5:02
Personally I have nothing against crownfunding. If people want to give you money then why not accept it? Why should corporations and goverments giving money to teams be ok but individual people giving money not? In the end it is the individuals who pay for it anyways. Anyone who has ever bought a can of redbull, watched mclaren ad on youtube or lives in venezuela has already given them money to go racing.
To me looks like Horner is more interested in how it looks than if it works. He is more interested of the public image of F1 than the actual state of F1.
BasCB (@bascb)
8th November 2014, 8:01
Horner and interested in how F1 looks @socksolid?
That is complete and utter nonsense.
How much was he interested in how F1 looks when the issue was flex wings, pirelli tyres, claiming engine noise was the problem and newey not beeing free enough to come up with more complicated ways to prevent cars being able to overtake?
No, this is just part of him trying to protect his team from having to compete with less advantage from being richer.
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
8th November 2014, 8:11
I also don’t have a problem with crowdfunding, at least I don’t if the team is struggling. I do have a problem when the team is already getting money hand over fist. What is so different from 100,000 people voluntarily and openly giving money to race a car as against 100,000 compulsarily levied via secret means to get the finances to race a car? At least in the former case the people knew what the money was going to and how it would be spent.
I agree with the comment on Pay-TV, Pay-TV doesn’t actually increase the popularity of F1, it reduces the viewing audience, which means teams have to have more reliance placed on TV rights, but that money is unfairly distributed, so teams can get less under the Pay-TV rights regieme than under the Free to Air regieme.
We have this ludicrous system which meant that Brawn GP didn’t get a cent for winning the World Championship. How stupid is that?
Bradley Downton (@bradley13)
8th November 2014, 0:29
With regards to this:
Here’s an idea. Rather than keeping the money that won’t be handed to Marussia in his pocket, why doesn’t Bernie instead split it between the team’s who are struggling on finances, to at least try and ensure we get 10 teams on the grid next season?
Oh yeah, silly me. That would be the sensible and morally right thing to do. Of course he’ll be greedy and keep it in his very large wallet.
@HoHum (@hohum)
8th November 2014, 2:17
@bradley13, I have no love for Bernie but we do need to be accurate, the money that Marussia may or may not have won will stay in the combined revenue pot to be distributed between the teams, so all teams will benefit slightly except possibly the last placed team if they dont score any points (Sauber ?)
The above is based on my basic understanding of prize money distribution but may be altered by Bernie/CVC/teams to allow that money to be paid to creditors of Marussia or there may be contractual fine print that will affect what happens in this situation, either way it wont be a bonus for Bernie/CVC.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
8th November 2014, 2:47
@bradley13 it’s been said here by another commentator that the money that should go to Marussia, will go to Sauber since they are now 9th in the championship (Marussia being DNQ for not racing the whole championship).
BasCB (@bascb)
8th November 2014, 8:04
Honestly when you divide that money by all the teams, there is not all that much left to make for a real solution @bradley13. And its not Marussia’s money if they are not part of the grid by the end of the year anyway.
George (@george)
8th November 2014, 0:54
Good to see Perez get another year at FI. They’re normally about the last team to announce drivers so they must be pretty happy with what they’ve got.
SennaNmbr1 (@)
8th November 2014, 13:30
I’m the opposite. I’ve never rated him. Don’t know why. Just not done anything outstanding so far.
George (@george)
8th November 2014, 13:42
@sennanmbr1
I think he’s had plenty of outstanding races, such as his Sauber podiums or races like Bahrain and Montreal this year (although he let himself down in the latter).
His strength seems to be in race pace/race management rather than pure speed or racing ability, a bit like Button except without as much wheel-to-wheel ability. I do feel he’s been improving on his racing though, despite a few poor moves this year, which is why I’m happy for him to get another year to continue to improve.
Pete (@repete86)
8th November 2014, 18:13
I’m with you on that. The guy has killer race craft. He’s just unfortunately prone to errors at the worst possible moments like in Canada. I hope to watch him continue to improve and shock everyone by showing up ahead of them like he did there.
nickpkr251
8th November 2014, 20:53
well he has more podiums in non top teams than any currently, if he could just get a descent car for a season
…..
David Not Coulthard (@davidnotcoulthard)
8th November 2014, 1:14
@Kaltenborn : It’s a competition, sadly.
@Horner : It might not be right, but to not allow that would be wronger (is that an existant word?).
bull mello (@bullmello)
8th November 2014, 2:00
Random Round-up notes…
Perez retained, more silly moves and collisions scheduled for 2015 along with some periods of decent driving that makes one wonder why the other.
Christian Horner has a rather strident opinion and bossy remark for nearly every topic in F1 these days. But can he top “begging bowls”?
Speaking of begging bowls, I do feel for Caterham and their employees for the situation they are in. I’m a bigger fan of Marussia, but I still can’t see sending them money by way of crowdfunding. Isn’t crowdfunding what F1 fans are already doing by buying tickets, buying sponsor’s products, buying manufacturer’s cars, buying TV broadcast packages, buying team merchandise, etc., etc. etc… So, now fans are expected to crowdfund the front end only to have a bunch of the money filtered out before it ever reaches the teams? And, then crowdfund on the back end directly to the teams to make up for the excessive quantities of cash that were filtered out by Bernie and his pack of cronies? Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.
Hhhmmmm… David Coulthard, Ron Dennis, F1 drivers, lightbulbs. There *has* to be a joke in there somewhere.
BasCB (@bascb)
8th November 2014, 14:13
Makes you think how many engineers are needed to change those lightbulbs in the cars @bullmello …
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
8th November 2014, 2:52
I don’t think Jenson leaving McLaren surprises many. Yes, he’s a brilliant driver, but he delivers when things go right his way or when the weather helps him. Compared to Alonso, he’s a step back, or maybe even two.
Headlines or not, Alonso is just a better driver and it’s hard to deny it. JB’s options are way too limited for him to stay in F1. But he’s also approaching Webber’s levels in terms of: should I keep going in a rubbish team or move on and be comfortable with what I’ve achieved? there’s plenty of life outside F1 for him, Le Mans being a very tempting alternative, I’m sure.
bag0 (@bag0)
8th November 2014, 8:32
@fer-no65
I think noone considers Button as the better driver, but his off track traits are the opposite of Alonso’s. He works well with his teammates, he doesn’t want no.1. status just being equal, he was loyal to the team, even now doesn’t use every opportunity to have a dig at the them.
I think Fernando would not be a big improvement on Jenson, he might get slightly better results, and avoid a slump like Buttons 2012 mid-season, but thats it.
Of course they have Kevin, who is of their own nest, so they shouldn’t ruin his career after one year, but right now he does not show the potential to reach even Buttons level. His qualy results are similar to Jensons, which is Buttons biggest weakness, but his race pace is nowhere near to him jet. The race results will come with experience, but McLaren cannot afford to go on racing constantly losing sponsors. If they go with ALO-MAG it would be understandable and justifiable, but it wont get the same results as the other choice.
If this years McLaren had ALO-BUT they would be 4th with ahead of Ferrari, while with ALO-MAG they would be at the same position.
All in all I think bringing Alonso in and not telling your drivers, not giving them any opportunity to get another seat is disgusting, they should keep their current lineup, but if McLaren wants the two best available drivers then they should go for ALO-BUT, it would be the most consistent pairing on the grid, and you can bet your house that they will maximize the number of constructor points.
Nin13 (@nin13)
8th November 2014, 3:53
Rich gets richer and poor gets poorer. Mallya should be 1st to know that. Afterall he comes from India. LOL.
Akhilesh (@graywizzard)
8th November 2014, 5:08
I think perez brings both money and racing to the team. Lets not forget he scored our only podium this season and only second in SFI’s history. And with mexican gp in the calendar next year there will be more sponsors coming on board. So may be more development for the team. But i also think Mallya wants to bring in a driver who can do what hulk did in the beginning of the season, being in amongst top 5. Its good to see SFI still havent lost the spirit to bring in talents rather than bringing in Pay Drivers.
Garetg
8th November 2014, 5:58
Pardon my ignorance but couldn’t the administrator wait until the end of the season, get hold of Marussias prize money for 9th, and pay off the debt with that? Or wasn’t it enough?
SP (@jb001)
8th November 2014, 13:22
The money isn’t paid until late 2015, so the team would have to race the next season first.
Alex McFarlane
8th November 2014, 13:31
That also seems ridiculous as well. Teams should get money at the end of the season so that they can plan for the next. Oh the pain.
matt90
8th November 2014, 13:26
“The concept of that is wrong and shouldn’t be allowed.”
It is wrong, and that is why I wouldn’t give money myself. But if other people are silly enough to want to, why should it be banned?