Red Bull has shot themselves in the head, and then demand like spoiled children that their competitors supply them with engines as good as their own. I'm really wondering if the sport would be worse off without them in the long run. At least teams might respect their partnerships a bit more in the future.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PPhfA5XNaE"]Sebastian Vettel likes to mess and joke with Mercedes Drivers - YouTube[/ame]
Read an interesting article that the proposed "Customer Engine" is the Indy car engine from Ilmore. It's close in HP, lighter, and a lot cheaper ($4mil vs $25mil). It could make things more interesting and would actually reduce cost unlike so many of F1's other ideas.
The thing that bugs me about this possible 'alternative' engine plan is it looks like a single option, spec engine. If you don't want one of the expensive hybrids, here's your alternative but you have to buy this one from our supplier. I want them to decide on an alternative engine option in terms of formula -- a formula not so restrictive as to eliminate variable solutions -- and let teams build or buy what they want. Go ahead and set up an assured supply via a contract but don't restrict teams from using another as long as if fits the formula. I also know that isn't likely to work because in order to get someone to step up and supply a spec engine the FIA probably have to be able to guarantee a monopoly.
And, would the alternative engines also have Kers and so on? I imagine most of the entrants would love to ditch the complexity of the current MGUK setup.....if they were allowed the same HP without it.
I don't know whether anyone outside the Todt-Ecclestone circle know specifics. One version I read a while back said it might include a basic KERS but I haven't seen anything recently that mentioned any hybrid components. The most recent rumor is Todt is offering the manufacturers a compromise. Something along the lines of "agree to charge no more than $12M for your engines and I'll drop the alternative engine supply idea."
Great video 1984 Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet & Stefan Bellof testing. The engines are loud, the tires are wide, the cars are small, and drivers with guts and skill. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKi--Dzi6ZM"]Brands Hatch Formula 1 Test Days 1984 'Senna' in the Toleman TG184/Hart - YouTube[/ame]
What I notice is all the spectators close to the track with a good view of things. No armed guards keeping them back 900 feet.
Not only are the engines loud, but they sound 'right'. Like an F1 car should. Something the current ones definitely do not.
Scott you & I are living in the past. I feel lucky to have been around when all the cool stuff was new. Feeling old now time for my nap. :sleep:
As much as Vettel's levity, my equal takeaway was the virtual absence of a sense of humor in Rosberg. Two very different Germans.