Ferrari to quit?

[schumi]

news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/7694009.stm

This is all over cost cutting measures proposed by the FIA to have standard engines, and to keep them for three races instead of two. Toyota had also threatened to pull out earlier in the week.

[Deleted]

It's just the usual toys out the pram stuff when they don't get their own way . Call their bluff - let them quit . Aye as if that will happen

[Deleted]

Oct 27, 2008 21:23:28 GMT @paulco said:

It's just the usual toys out the pram stuff when they don't get their own way . Call their bluff - let them quit .

Yes, it's all a big yawn. In any case, the changes may well encourage more teams into F1, even if Ferrari did quit.

[admin]

Actually, standard engines does sound a bit stupid. What's the point of major car makers, such as Mercedes, Honda, BMW and Toyota being involved if they can't supply engines to their team?

[Genghis]

Oh shut up Ferrari and stop talking crap.

[Deleted]

Oct 27, 2008 23:47:30 GMT admin said:

Actually, standard engines does sound a bit stupid. What's the point of major car makers, such as Mercedes, Honda, BMW and Toyota being involved if they can't supply engines to their team?

I'd guess they could still make the engines, but just build them to a standard specification.

In any case though, I don't think standard engines would make that much of a difference. There's always one make of 'standard' engine that's better than another.

BTW - why only make engines last three GPs? Why not actually try to engineer them to last a whole season, as it seems to be possible in other motor sports.

[admin]

Oct 28, 2008 8:29:25 GMT @wibblemuis said:

I'd guess they could still make the engines, but just build them to a standard specification.

Reading the article and in particular the following from the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) it doesn't sound like that is the case:

"The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) has already said 'we're not going to supply engines in the tendering process,' so who's going to make these standardised engines?"

That sounds to me like the intention is for one supplier to build and supply engines in the same way that Bridgestone currently are sole suppliers of tyres.

[schumi]

Interesting replies. I had wondered what would happen if I'd posted this earlier under "Toyota to quit", and I suspect there may have been one or two different opinions.

I should just say my original post may have been a little misleading. Ferrari have said they will have to reconsider their place if the standardised engines come in. The rule about having one engine per three races is supposed to be coming in for next year, and is nothing to do with Ferrari's statement.

However, whilst it may save costs, it's not something I'd be happy with. If I wanted to watch standardised racing I'd watch the A1 GPs. I did to start with, but soon lost interest.

[Deleted]

Oct 28, 2008 15:16:41 GMT @schumi said:

If I wanted to watch standardised racing I'd watch the A1 GPs.

There are two types of standardised racing. The type where everyone uses chassis, engines and tyres, or combinations of these from a single supplier. For example, GP2 uses a Dallara chassis in conjunction with a Renault engine and Bridgestone tyres.

There's also the type where general specifications are published, and anyone is allowed to build to those designs. For example, in Formula 3 you have a choice of a Dallara or Lola-made chassis, and a standard engine built by Honda, VW or Renault (and maybe others).

My view is that standardised engines from a single supplier are a false economy because you become beholden to that supplier. You can also run into supply and service problems if there's no competition. In addition, no engine is ever created equal, so the top runners end-up buying multiple engines and using the best bits from each to create a top-specced supposedly 'standard' engine. That's why I prefer a standard spec that anyone can build to, although invariably one manufacturer will make a better version of the engine than the others and dominates anyway.

With respect to the A1GP, the problem is the lack of continuity with respect to the drivers who take part in each GP. By contrast, the GP2 can be quite exciting.

The one good thing about the A1GP is the rolling start that bunches up the field more. With a standing start, the cars have to be more widely spaced for safety reasons (in case someone stalls), so it's much easier for the front runners to get away. Rolling starts are also safer in my opinion.

[marron]

As Paulco says, toys out of the pram stuff.

[schumi]

From PlanetF1:

Ferrari's threat to quit Formula One if a standard engine is introduced has been played down by the FIA.

The FIA claims it is up to the teams and not the sport's governing body to come up with ideas to cut costs in F1.

The FIA claims there are alternative cost-cutting answers and are not alarmed by the threat of both Ferrari and Toyota to leave Formula One if standard engines are introduced from 2010.

FIA President Max Mosley had already written to teams stating there were three alternatives - a standard engine, an engine from a single supplier or the supply of customer engines to independent teams at less than 5million euros per season.

In a statement the FIA said: "The FIA has noted the press statement issued by the Ferrari board of directors.

"It seems the Ferrari board were misinformed. The FIA has offered the teams three options, one of which is the so-called standard engine, and another that the manufacturers should jointly guarantee to supply power trains to the independent teams for less than 5million euros per season.

"The FIA is delighted by Ferrari's financial success and hopes this will be maintained. However a number of teams find themselves facing costs which greatly exceed income. This is not sustainable.

"It is now for the manufacturers to agree one of the three FIA options or themselves produce concrete proposals to reduce costs to a sustainable level.

"If neither happens, the FIA will take whatever measures prove necessary to preserve a credible world championship for both drivers and constructors."

So far talks between Mosley and the Formula One Teams Association in Geneva came up with a plan to supply customer engines at a cost of 10million euros per season.