15 responses to “Daily #F1 News and Comment: Tuesday 13th August 2013”

1. It makes sense for Ferrari to switch development, really. Alonso can only hope for 3rd-6th place as-is, and MB at least will continue to develop their car.

2. I am torn with the ‘financial crisis’ in Formula 1 teams. I know Sauber (and Lotus and FI and… and ..) are struggling but surely they should work within their means or am I being naive.

   However, Bernie saying Sauber should sell his team is akin to asking a father to sell his son. May be ok for Bernie (he only has daughters :P) but Peter Sauber is a proud man and I cannot see him doing that willingly.

   Maybe the answer is for Mr E to share more of the spoils of F1 and the FIA to find a way to cap budgets. Stick it at £100m for all. There is enough money in F1 to ensure all teams can get that. If a team spends more than that they need to get sponsors and if they run into financial troubles then fine them similar to what is happening in football with relegation.

   • I can’t imagine for one moment that Bernie means he could come up with an offer that would be acceptable… I’m sure ANY of us could make such a claim…

3. Supposedly Colin Kolles is waiting in the wings with a financial rescue package for Sauber. However, his deal will require Herr Sauber and Monisha to give up equity in the team (and likely appoint the Romanian dentist Team Principal or other senior position). Bearing in mind the alleged blackmail of Toto, it seems unlikely anyone in F1 would be keen to do business with Kolles. I sincerely hope the Hinwil team finds the dosh to go racing at Spa and for many more grands prix to come. — Parallel to this, I sense that Infinity Racing will come up with the cash or payment in kind to secure their 35% stake in Lotus. Would not be surprised if Kimi contract is a reason for delay.

   • I saw that there were rumours about Colin being interested but as you say, that will most likely be an equity deal and also who would trust Kolles. That said, something of something is better than nothing of … well nothing 🙂

     Re Lotus – as far as I know it is a technology partnership and it may just be that they take on some of the investors’ loans (aka debts).

     • Technology partnership v taking on investors loans doesn’t sit well.
       On the other hand their very name Infinity implies how long is apiece of string.

     • John, do we know any details on what kind of technology Infinity Racing may have to offer the Enstone team?

       • Unfortunately not yet David. All we know is what Lopez said when the deal was announced.

         Lopez said “Infinity Racing’s principals have exceptional expertise and a proven strong track record in developing and delivering high quality technologies. This partnership will enable us [Lotus] to increase Lotus F1 Team’s competitive advantage related to KERS technology as it becomes more central to Formula 1’s push for environmentally sound racing, while also making Lotus F1 Team more marketable as a brand, opening up additional major sponsorship opportunities”.

         It strikes me as odd that they will be developing technologies related to KERS. The 2014 power train includes ERS so should be provided by Renault. What else can they supply that is ERS related? Batteries?

4. I just came across an interesting article from 26th July, by Karun Chandhok, talking about the new regulations for next year onwards.
   http://overdrive.in/opinions/2014-f1-regulations-explained/
   It seems strategy on when to harvest and use ERS is going to be very important during the race, and the “backroom boys” are going to be more important than ever for the team, deciding on what he calls “power scheduling”.

   • I found the article while I was trying to ascertain how long the teams have to develop their engines before there is a ban on changing them. And, how long the ban on changing them lasts. It seems to me that an engine supplier who waits a couple of years before joining Formula 1 will have a huge advantage over existing teams. Or is there a ban on new engine suppliers too? As I said in a previous comment here, what if a team finds it has a “dog” of an engine, it cant alter it, it will have to change to a new supplier. So we could end up with only one or two engine suppliers, which cant be good for the sport.

     • OK, I found the regulations covering it.
       http://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/regulation/file/1-2014%20TECHNICAL%20REGULATIONS%202013-Published%20on%2008.07.2013.pdf
       Appendix 4 Page 86
       It seems they have 5 years from 2015 to 2020 to upgrade the engines. With each passing year a smaller percentage can be changed. After 2020 its not clear what happens.

       • I guess it would still be important for manufacturers to come in sooner rather than later. On the other hand, guys like Honda are probably doing all they can now, while not being bound by any regulations, to get their engine up to spec and more.

         What it does do though is pose a barrier to entry for the likes of Volkswagen/Audi etc. should or shall I rather say if they decide to join the fold.

   • @mikecloud54. first time respondant here. I lucked upon this site a few months ago and have been following ever since. my new fav F1 site of many I browse!!! I been hooked on F1 since 1962 and saw my first of a number of F1 races at the first Canadian GP @ Mosport in ’67. racing has changed so much over the decades, but you are seemingly soooo right in your assessment that the backroom computer geeks will play an even more important role than evern today for 2014 and beyond racing… I am not agreeing in a derogatory manner. while I may lust for many of the former glory days of driver heros and radical-thinking engineers, this is just something else to be embraced by all for the full enjoyment of our chosen sport in todays’ World of F1 and much more… I cannot wait for Spa N Monza, NASCAR @ Michigan, Nationwide @ Mid Ohio, IndyCar @ Sonoma, etc., etc., etc…

     • I agree this is an excellent site. I joined after finding it by chance too.
       I dont know what is best for motor racing. Is it the designer of the car aerodynamics, is it the engine, is it the driver or is it the computer guys? It is a team sport and everyone makes their contribution count. But, I really want the driver to be in charge of the driving, with the rest of the team’s assistance, and not have him being told what to do by someone sitting at a computer.

5. Bianchi has impressed the most, spell at Lotus then Ferrari maybe.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.