So, I hear today that it is intended to bring in cost restrictions in 2015. I wonder how successfully this can policed. In Switzerland they recently held a referendum on the idea that a CEO can only earn 12 times the lowest paid in the company, it was voted out. One reason is that people soon realised companies would segregate into smaller companies where the highest paid were in one company and the lowest in another. What then would prevent an F1 team setting up a separate (non F1) company from whom it contracted services at a price that was below cost, yet hide this in the other company with revenues from other sources. For the larger teams this would be easy to do. For example, design and manufacturer of a car part (rear wing even) provided at a price below costs including R and D (e.g. manufacture only). The R and D costs being hidden in the broader R and D costs of the company recovered from other revenues outside F1. I see the attraction of a cost restriction, with paid drivers being so much in demand above raw talent. The current strategy will only lead to a mediocre Formula, if tyres and other changes are not also dumbing down the Formula. Regulators, effective policing is essential and who is to say what the real cost is. And double points in the last race?, Why not in 2-3 races where the emphasis of the track is different, encouraging cars of different strengths. Double points for a speed circuit vs a more technical circuit. Makes more sense. You might otherwise get see a consequence you don't want. Why not do it for the last 2 circuits where one is low downforce and the other is high?
The Judge is full of ****, he was saying Red Bull were running tuned mass dampers the other week, once he'd grown tired of the traction control rumours. He's the Cwarr of Formula 1.
http://www.f1.co.uk/read-news/2013/9154/f1-2013-–-sebastian-vettel-to-become-a-father Congrats to Vettel if true. He really does work quick. .
F1 teams allowed to join three-day Bahrain Pirelli test in December Formula 1 teams will be allowed to test in Bahrain later this month following a request from Pirelli last month, the FIA announced on Monday. The F1 Commission said it had agreed to change the sporting rules that ban testing until next year on safety grounds. Teams will therefore be allowed to carry out a three-day tyre test using their 2013 cars at the Sakhir circuit from 17-19 December. All teams were invited to the tests, but only Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Force India and Toro Rosso accepted the offer. The remaining five teams - Lotus, Sauber, Williams, Marussia and Caterham - will be absent. I feel 2013 cars should be read '2013' cars... Why would you not go to this? I can only assume its budget related as its a bit out of the blue and therefore the teams may have no surplus left.
Yeah I assume it's money related. Worrying that Williams are missing it, they must've been pretty dependent on Maldonado's money. I wonder if Toro Rosso are going to gather additional data for Red Bull or just to get Kvyat some extra mileage.
http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/1...will-not-take-part-in-next-weeks-bahrain-test McLaren and Force India have pulled out of the test...
Apologies if this is the wrong place , but Holden have announced they are to cease car production in 2017 . Shame IMHO,
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FIA opens procedure for new F1 teams to join in 2015 With so many teams close to bankruptcy I can see why people would be queuing up to join
I'm confused. I thought Bernie wanted to reduce the numbers of teams after having previously encouraged new teams to enter; now they want new teams again, who will now doubt enrich F1 further before they flounder and fail from all the debt and an inability to win any money back from the sport they spent so much on to enter.
Now... Sebastien Buemi will drive for Red Bull for all three days of next week's Pirelli tyre test in Bahrain, AUTOSPORT can reveal. The Italian tyre company has been given dispensation to run a three-day test with 2013 machinery, with all teams invited to attend. Initially, six teams were announced as participating, although McLaren and Force India have subsequently confirmed they are not running. This leaves Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Mercedes and Ferrari, whose activities will be directed by Pirelli throughout the three days. Red Bull will have neither of its race drivers for 2014 present, meaning that Buemi, one of its two-man reserve driver line-up alongside Antonio Felix da Costa, will be given the running. It will be the first time he has driven a latest-specification F1 car for Red Bull and his first serious running in an up-to-date car since his final season with Toro Rosso in 2011. Ferrari has confirmed Pedro de la Rosa and Jules Bianchi will run and Mercedes is understood to be planning to field both of its race drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. So only Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Mercedes and Ferrari are going and only Mercedes have confirmed they are taking their race drivers. Wonder if its a driver or team choice?
1996 Spanish GP is on Sky F1 at the moment. It's absolutely hosing it down, seems bizarre to see cars actually driving in the rain.
Autosports Top 10 of 2014 1. Vettel 2. Alonso 3. Hamilton 4. Hulkenberg 5. Rosberg 6. Grosjean 7. Kimi 8. Webber 9. Button 10. Bottas http://plus.autosport.com/premium/feature/5762/the-top-10-f1-drivers-of-2013/
