And, as someone pointed out elsewhere, since this is really about changing the technical regulations rather than the sporting regs it would ensure an entry level for engineers and designers. One of the problems that would arise from customer cars, and therefore customer teams, is you lose the minnow teams learning how to build their own cars and bringing in new talent. Think of Minardi and Arrows and Jordan, etc, who also gave entry to the sport to many of the big name drivers. I think that's already gradually fading away.
I wonder if most of the problem is that the bigger teams score many more championship points and as a result they get much more F1 money than the smaller teams. It would be interesting to say that every team gets the same slice of the F1 cake/income, or at least less money tied to championship points. But the big teams won't agree to that.
I agree. They need to do something a bit drastic and I think the solution they choose will either nail the coffin lid shut for those of us still following along or make it much more interesting (though I'd expect it to take a while to turn around fully). Seems like it's one or the other with any middle ground solution only postponing inevitable demise. Unfortunately, Bernie and the profit-taking CVS are in charge and their perspective is on big company teams, glamor, and "the show", all for the sake of maximum profits and regardless of the nature of the sport itself.
Don't think I heard this during the quali broadcast but just read Ferrari considered going to Alonso's 6th engine and starting from pit lane like Vettel. Though they decided against it, seems like they must have thought his engine is near borderline for the race.
Interesting strategy. Using old engines running with a power deficit for Austin and Brazil in order to save a newer engine for the last race (while also avoiding grid place penalties).
Alonso pleased with P6 given engine power deficit (motosportstalk.nbcsport.com)
I heard a rumor that three or more of the midfield teams are threatening to boycott the rest of the races this season to protest how the money and rules are done.
Did we really not know how this would turn out - at least for the first two or three?
One thing I took away from this race - Riccy Riccardo's being 25 sec back at the end of the race means he's only 1/2 sec a lap or so behind the Mercs. If the Renault boys can find some HP over the winter break (and assuming Merc doesn't) He might have a shot at the title next year.
Vettel starting from the pit lane and finishing 7th despite complaining that his car was 3-5 sec a lap off the pace shows the potential of the chassis, if it just had some HP.
I don't understand why the Williams hasn't been able to win this year, they seem almost as fast as the Benzers, but can't seem to close the deal out.
![[IMG]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B1X9fLIIQAAyn1t.jpg:large)
