I haven't yet seen one of those handy schedule graphics for the USGP but all the broadcast times are listed here.
The FIA only has itself to blame for teams dropping out. They knew teams were on the edge a few years ago but they still went forward with the massively complex and expensive rule changes that changed the entire car and engine. All for what purpose? The only thing we got was a change in dominant team and small teams going bust. The teams are never going to agree on a budget cap so the only way smaller teams can survive is by not having to change a bunch of stuff. No they won't be competitive but without the big bucks they never will be. Red Bull spent a fortune to make Jag into a number one team. As did Merc. So F1 will be a series with a few big buck teams trying to out spend each other in ways to get around the rules. The only small teams will be the number 2 teams for the big guys. So there are 4 big teams with each having a junior makes for 8 teams total. So if your one of the small teams you better find your buddy fast or you'll be gone.
I have been a long time F1 fan, But I am losing interest. There is to much artificial crap on the cars to make a good show.
I love all racing. I don't see the change from the last dominant team to the current one a bad thing. The last team was on top for 4 years, yep change is good. More than one team has won this year & that is great. Too much stuff & crazy complexity on the current cars, yes there sure is, but it is what we have. I've enjoyed the racing this year in spite of the crazy tech. Big teams with boat loads of money running at the front while underfunded racers wallow around in the back, racing has always been this way from SCCA to F1. Don't see how that can ever change.
I agree, but those engines and other rule change-spawned car redesigns were just the final bundles of straw that broke the overburdened camels' backs. They were going to be circling the drain anyway, just not quite this soon. All the teams are spending too much and there's a non-stop tech spending war that only the big teams can afford. We can say the smaller teams should just stay out of it and live with their back-marker status but they can't afford to just be happy to be racing. They're still fighting for the last few Constructor's Championship positions and the money that comes with them, plus any success can help attract sponsor money, that allows them to keep going. Sort of fits the old business model "need to spend money to make money", but at the back of the grid they're fighting a different version of the law of diminishing returns. Teams dropping out because they're out of money is as old as F1 but these days it's so expensive there aren't a bunch of wannabe shoestring-budget teams waiting in the wings to jump in when someone else drops out. In addition to all the cash Bernie and CVC suck out of the sport (billions), there are plenty of other issues. And, like I said, the new engines, etc, are just the latest tip of the iceberg. Look at the costs below (midfield team costs) and remember even that $28M figure for engines isn't an additional $28M. They had to pay for the V8s as well, just not as much (I'll guess half). Analysis: Why small teams can't afford F1 amid Caterham/Marussia woe (autosport.com)
Agreed, no one races at that level to just be happy to be out their trundling around. Not sure how or why F1 does anything, but it seems to me the back markers should receive some sort of stipend to help them make the grid. Lord knows there is enough money that Bernie pals suck out of everyone's pockets. F1 has become a money sucking monster over loaded with stupid tech. Not sure how or if that monster can be put back in the bottle.
I see the rumors of Audi moving to F1 are alive and well again with the news that they hired Stefano Domenicali. Would seem like a big lose to the LeMans and DTM series.
I've seen those rumors too. Could it be that Audrey sees an end coming to their LeMans dominance? I'd like to see them in F1, could be interesting.
The one rumor I read had it coming down from the VAG overlords to cede LeMans to their Porsche brethren.
It does make sense to me to have Porsche take the helm in the Le Mans and GT Racing. DTM is hard to call, the Panamera is NOT DTM material. There are a lot of stories swirling around about Alonso going with Audi because Domenicali is there. The amount of money that Bernie and his cohorts at CVC have pulled put of F1 over the years would more than cover the costs a few teams. The payouts in F1 are ludicrous. But the teams let this happen.
Looking at the costs Steve put up so many of them aren't really discretionary. I can't see how the $40 mil cap they proposed a few years ago could have ever worked. Just to do a $100 mil cap the sport would have to seriously de-tech.
I thought the same thing. I'm assuming every time we hear of some sort of a 2-figure cap like that they must be trying to put a ceiling on only certain costs but I've never seen an explanation. Given the numbers in the article come from teams trying to convince the FIA that costs are too high, there may be more than just a bit of exaggeration to make the point. But I can't believe they would have inflated $40M to $120M. And don't overlook this little gem: "...an example of what a midfield team was now spending - excluding driver salaries, building leases, hospitality, marketing and media." One thing those numbers show is the budgets also go up every time Bernie increases the number of races on the calendar. I knew his company handled shipping from race to race but didn't realize it was just his company making the consolidated arrangements, etc, presumably to get a better deal, and the teams have to pay. Shows how important it is to coordinate the race schedule by geography.
Speaking of millions..... Alonso squeezing Ferrari for big severance payout (grandprix247.com) I'm surprised none of the regular pundits are trying to start a rumor that Ferrari have three drivers signed because they plan to run three cars next year.
I was thinking the same thing this morning. They see the writing on the wall and want to have the best line up. I think 3 cars could be the reason for the Alonso to Merc roamers.
Here's an interesting idea for partial reform as F1 grapples with costs, etc. I can't remember where I read this or I would attribute the source...might have been an article on Racecar Engineering, not sure...or maybe it's an amalgam of things I've read here and there... The idea is a sort of 2-tiered system. Teams pick a tier to compete in and stick with the rules associated with that tier unless and until they decide to switch. Tier 1. More or less what we have today, for those with plenty of money to spend and the will to spend it. No cost cap but lots of technological limitations imposed via rules set in place for the sake of safety and, supposedly, competition. Tier 2. Strict cost cap but lots of room for engineers to innovate due to removal of competition-enforcement rules and allowance of nearly any form of engine and aero. Lack of big money means rather than spending through the roof in a losing battle against the law of diminishing returns, engineers and designers would be free to choose different paths while forced to work within budget. Might result in different designs, all in competition on the track, and potential for real world-related innovation. Also potential to allow single car teams under this tier. Yes, I know it sounds a lot like sports car racing with more than one class on the track, but I don't actually dislike that idea. Plus the difference here is there would be no system put in place to guarantee the more expensive tier can outpace the other (like prototypes given performance advantages so they will always outperform GTs, etc) so there's potential for surprises and real wild cards. Each team given a choice: if you want an unlimited budget, you'll be severely restricted in terms of design; if you want less restrictions, spend less money. Wadaya think? Full of holes? Says nothing about the rest of the reforms they need (IMO) like better distribution of earnings, etc, etc, etc, this is just about finding a way to allow the rich teams to spend like they're printing money while others are protected from the non-stop tech spending war yet still allowed room to make choices and innovate. Also, I already know it'll never happen. No need to remind me. Doesn't change the fact that I like the idea. :biggrin5: