Post here all non technical related topics about Formula One. This includes race results, discussions, testing analysis etc. TV coverage and other personal questions should be in Off topic chat.
I'm slightly baffled/confused how it may be difficult for teams such as Sauber, STR, Lotus etc I understand Marussia and Caterham...but surely not Sauber as well (as they weren't listed with Ferrari, Mclaren, RBR and Mercedes).
If someone said to me that you can have three wishes, my first would have been to get into racing, my second to be in Formula 1, my third to drive for Ferrari.
I'm slightly baffled/confused how it may be difficult for teams such as Sauber, STR, Lotus etc I understand Marussia and Caterham...but surely not Sauber as well (as they weren't listed with Ferrari, Mclaren, RBR and Mercedes).
The link didnt work, but yes, most of the teams are in a difficult situation. F1 is not a business for midfield teams, let alone for the backmarkers outside the top 10 whom the sport seems to hate.
Sauber is hardly surprising, their only solid sponsorship was TelMex, and I'm not sure how good it will hold up and how much it actually gave them. STR is totally dependent on RedBull's whim, Lotus seems to have good backing, but things in F1 change fast and a drop of a single sponsor may put dent on a budget that would be hard to cope.
Add to that a looming costs of turbo's/KERS for next year and you can imagine some serious headaches for the mid-level teams' managers.
You might call me the eternal optimist on this one, but...
I have been going through the races of the early fifties (a project I hope to follow all the way through into modernity). But, I have some insight. I can vouch that F1 has faced equally, if not far more dire circumstances in the early to mid 1950's. Back then, there was--presumably--less will to maintain it as the F1 Championship was both newly established and non-commercialized. My understanding, is that F1 has faced similar episodes/crises before and has always managed to weather them.
I agree, participation in F1 does not really seem viable unless you are (at the very least) consistently in the points or on the cusp of scoring points in most races. In other words, I'm not sure how Formula 1 ever fills the back half of the grid.
But, I have faith that Formula 1 will survive this one as well. And, Formula 1 does fail, I think that we will clearly see it coming. I would be extremely surprised if in a matter of weeks or months, the entire franchise went *poof*.
So, call me the eternal optimist, but I think F1 will be hanging around (IMO).
Check out my project at http://www.gpevolved.com. I am attempting to retell the story of F1, one race at a time. Stop by for a taste of Formula 1 in the 1950s.
F1 get in financial crisis in same time when regulations 2009 changed, and some teams dissapered from F1 scene. It become obvious for everyone when pay drivers shown on scene. Changing regulations, and cutting expenses didnt work for making financial situation for teams easier like before.
When some teams dissapered from F1, F1 didnt make nothing to make new teams competitive, and they have not received any help from FIA, on how to stand on their feet.
I would say FIA is only one to blame for their teams financial crisis. They invited new teams, and now they keep distance from them. Maybe new teams were beggining of some start financial crisis in F1 like some disease but they weren't cured, and now symptoms started to show on midfield teams, and soon will start showing on top teams.
I've said it many times before, but it still bears to be repeated: the problem is the income side of the equation, not the cost. Bernie puts short-term profits over what's good for the sport in the long term. He's concentrated his efforts on extracting money from venues instead of building the sport's fan base. The result is that the sport just doesn't attract the sponsors that it needs to support more than a few teams. The teams can cut costs all day long, but it doesn't mean diddly if there's no money coming in. The only way that cost-cutting will work is if they make it so cheap to compete that Bernie can essentially pay the teams to take part. Which, in effect, is what he's been forced to do. Everyone talks about Bernie like he's some sort of business genius - I think he's just another F1 scoundrel who happened to be in the right place at the right time (i.e., was best buddies with Max).
Pup wrote: I think he's just another F1 scoundrel who happened to be in the right place at the right time (i.e., was best buddies with Max).
Wasn't he a used car salesmen?
I never trust them...
However I don't want to see Sauber in financial difficulty or any team for that fact...however the infalted price to participate let alone running costs is hurting most teams...I'm sure even though Ferrari, RBR, Mclaren and Mercedes are comfortable they are taking comfort in the fact that their corporate businesses are writing off the massive debts of Formula 1....I highly doubt anyone is making in profit from racing...but more or less making money off venue pricing, sponsorship wheeling and dealing and back door Concorde deals to secure commercial rights etc...
If someone said to me that you can have three wishes, my first would have been to get into racing, my second to be in Formula 1, my third to drive for Ferrari.
