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2009 Formula One Thread
- Thread starter R.Youden
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BMW have sold the team. Who says they'll be starting next season. I think they won't.
Maybe it was just a piece of sarcasm?
I was being slightly sarcastic, but BMW do expect their team (under new owners) to be on the grid in Melbourne next season.
It was a surprise result for Fernando Alonso to win in Singapore last year and now I guess we know why.
It also brings back into question what went on at the Benetton team in 1994 and 1995 with secret traction control systems and removing parts of refueling rigs. Flavio Briatore has always been an idiot of the highest order.
It also brings back into question what went on at the Benetton team in 1994 and 1995 with secret traction control systems and removing parts of refueling rigs. Flavio Briatore has always been an idiot of the highest order.
Wow!
I can't see how Renault can stay in the championship. Either they'll walk and cite Financial reasons, or they'll be kicked out. Getting rid of Briatore and Symonds isn't going to be enough....
...and it certainly firms up Alonso's move to Ferrari now, unless he fancies replacing Kovalinen!
I can't see how Renault can stay in the championship. Either they'll walk and cite Financial reasons, or they'll be kicked out. Getting rid of Briatore and Symonds isn't going to be enough....
...and it certainly firms up Alonso's move to Ferrari now, unless he fancies replacing Kovalinen!
Formula One can now take it's place alongside professional cycling as the most scandal-ridden sports in existence...
The sad part is it makes looking for untainted heroes increasingly difficult.
The sad part is it makes looking for untainted heroes increasingly difficult.
Darn. I was looking forward to a 28-car grid next year.
That being said, if they ban Renault from Formula 1 or allow them to stay and fine them $250-500 million, how does this affect GP2? Those cars are powered by Renault engines. The FIA could conceivably ban Renault from all FIA-sanctioned events which I would think would kill their GP2 engine deal or the shame/costs of paying the fine might cause Renault to cease supporting GP2.
Now, with the GP2 season down to one final race, there would likely be time to develop a new replacement 4.0 liter engine, but still, that's going to add costs to the teams to modify their chassis as well as perhaps additional testing time to get used to the new driving dynamics. Will the FIA pick up those costs?
And with teams like Williams supposedly going to Renault, if Renault leaves or is excluded, and Toyota follows, that's going to mean a problem for teams to scramble to get engines from other suppliers. Did the Qatari's buy BMW's engine program, as well, or just the chassis department?
Going to be one heck of an off-season!
That being said, if they ban Renault from Formula 1 or allow them to stay and fine them $250-500 million, how does this affect GP2? Those cars are powered by Renault engines. The FIA could conceivably ban Renault from all FIA-sanctioned events which I would think would kill their GP2 engine deal or the shame/costs of paying the fine might cause Renault to cease supporting GP2.
Now, with the GP2 season down to one final race, there would likely be time to develop a new replacement 4.0 liter engine, but still, that's going to add costs to the teams to modify their chassis as well as perhaps additional testing time to get used to the new driving dynamics. Will the FIA pick up those costs?
And with teams like Williams supposedly going to Renault, if Renault leaves or is excluded, and Toyota follows, that's going to mean a problem for teams to scramble to get engines from other suppliers. Did the Qatari's buy BMW's engine program, as well, or just the chassis department?
Going to be one heck of an off-season!
So what if the FIA kick Renault out? How does that impact Renault? At this point, with all of the other manufacturers walking away from the sport I'd be surprised if they weren't pleased to have the decision made for him. Similarly, and maybe I need to be French or European to grasp this, how much would it impact their road car division? As much as a name means, I can't imagine Toyota or BMW getting a fine or kicked out really leading to a substantial dip in sales either regionally or around the world.
This means a lot to F1 fans, and to an extent sports fans, but I'm not sure if the general public care. Of course this is probably making more news everywhere but America.
This means a lot to F1 fans, and to an extent sports fans, but I'm not sure if the general public care. Of course this is probably making more news everywhere but America.
I think the fact Briatore and Symonds have gone will help Renault's case, as when Dennis left McLaren. I expect them to get a fine, and be excluded from the constructors championship for this (not that it matters) and next season
As for Renault, they're struggling anyway, but I can't see it affecting sales any further than the recession already has.
As for Renault, they're struggling anyway, but I can't see it affecting sales any further than the recession already has.
Right. And if the team and the car are not up to standards that would allow a world championship how much would excluding them from the constructors championship actually hurt? Sure, it's not like they haven't been trying to get the 2010 car going already, but I doubt anybody here things the prospect of that car winning a championship is good odds.
Although, how are funds divided up? Is that a payout to teams based on constructors points at all? Is that what dictates pit lane sequencing?
Yes, the pit lane layout is dictated by the previous years constructors results.Although, how are funds divided up? Is that a payout to teams based on constructors points at all? Is that what dictates pit lane sequencing?
You only have to look at the McLaren incident to see how lenient the punishments can be. Briatore & Symonds affected the outcome of 1 race, Spygate may have affected an entire season.
I feel like the biggest issue with pitland ordering is the size of the garage. Otherwise it doesn't matter. If a car is traveling down pit lane, regardless of their position, the net time to travel the lane is the same. Or, aside from size, am I missing something?
Positioning at either end can mean you have a cleaner entry to your pit box, as seen by were Ferrari are currently based at the beginning. I can't think of anything else.
Although, how are funds divided up? Is that a payout to teams based on constructors points at all? Is that what dictates pit lane sequencing?
In addition to the location and size of your garage and paddock, your position in the Constructor's Championship also determines how much Travel Money you get to help defray the costs of transporting equipment to the "flyaway" races.
As McLaren finished last (and with zero points), they have had to foot their entire air freight bill for all the races outside of the EU and for a team of their stature, that's a lot of stuff. In the grand scheme of things, for a team like McLaren a low-eight-figure air freight bill probably isn't much considering they have a low-nine-figure budget, but it's still ten(s) of millions they could have spent on something else to improve performance of the car.
I believe there is also a per-team payout by the FIA at the end of the season, the amount of which is determined by your finish in the CC.
Right, so that could be all the more reason for Renault to make a financial decision and say - "Okay, thanks for your time but we're going to leave F1 now." So what? I don't say that to imply that nobody cares or that it wouldn't have some impact on the sport, because it would, but in the larger scheme of things I don't think the impact would be too large.
The real point I'm trying to make is that there is only punishment to Renault if they have a desire to stay in F1. If not there's really nothing left to it, and F1 comes away with a worse reputation while Renault (relatively) walks away scott-free.
The real point I'm trying to make is that there is only punishment to Renault if they have a desire to stay in F1. If not there's really nothing left to it, and F1 comes away with a worse reputation while Renault (relatively) walks away scott-free.