2008 F1 Season

[ctjet]

oh gawd

[dezz]

So wrong

[Marco-R34GTT]

Formula One agrees to new cost-cutting

12/13/2008

Page 1

Formula One's governing body has announced a series of new cost-cutting measures for the crisis-hit sport, including longer-lasting engines, limits on expensive testing and a cheaper off-the-shelf engine for smaller teams from 2010.

The sweeping changes, which the FIA said were unanimously backed by Formula One teams, come as the sport's major players - automakers - are reeling from the global financial crisis.

Honda announced this month that it is pulling out of F1 and Super Aguri quit in April.

The FIA said the first batch of changes for the 2009 season will save the larger teams, backed by manufacturers, about one-third of the money that they spent in 2008.

"Savings for independent teams will be even greater," the motor sport body said in a statement.

The FIA said its World Motor Sport Council agreed on Friday at a meeting in Monaco to the measures. For 2009, they include:

- A doubling of engine life, with each driver limited to a maximum of eight engines over the season. Teams will also be allowed four engines for testing. Engines will be limited to 18,000 revolutions per minute.

- Cheaper engines for independent teams, costing about half as much as in 2008.

- During the season, teams will only be able to test their cars at Grand Prix weekends during scheduled practices.

- Limits on the use of wind tunnels, which are employed to improve cars' aerodynamics.

- Teams' factories to close for six weeks per year.

- Reduced manpower for teams during race weekends.

Changes to be introduced after next season will be even more radical, as the FIA seeks to ensure the sport's long-term survival.

Races could even be shortened to save money, and refuelling will be banned from 2010 - which could dramatically alter the spectacle for fans.

From 2010, independent teams will be supplied with engines for less than 5 million euros ($A9.83 million) per team per season. The engines will come either from an independent supplier or from the teams that manufacture their own engines. If an independent supplier is chosen, the deal will be signed no later than next week, the FIA said.

If such a reform proves practical, all teams will use the same transmission.

Race weekends will look radically different with the ban on refuelling and a ban on warmers used to heat up tires, so they give better grip.

Market research will de conducted before a decision on whether to make races shorter.

The FIA said it would also work with F1 teams on "the possibility of an entirely new power train for 2013", which would aim to be more energy efficient.

[PRO_32]

Wow had heard most of that not the banning of refuelling though or shorter races. Both negatives imo, Rest of it sounds practical enough, no money means no money let the blood letting begin wonder if/how many jobs will be lost .?

[Beer Baron]

is it just me or does it feel like F1 is dying? everything happening now seems completely against the whole spirit and attraction of the sport.

[Kinks]

Yep. No refuelling, no changing your engines, no fun of any kind OK!!

Meh. F1 is supposed to be about pushing the envelope not making engines last several races and gearboxes last a season. I miss the random blowups.

[Beer Baron]

yeah back in the day you used to have a choice.

go for maximum power/rev/awesomeness. this will give you race winning speed, but expect to lunch an engine every now and then costing you some points.

or

wind things back a peg. you may not win every race, but you'll be there to capitalise on others misfortune when their mega rev engines explode.

both choices had their merits and it made things exciting. now everyone's on the same page.

and all the other stuff just seems anit-competetive and seeks to cheapen the sport. not good.

[benm]

Time to make it a European only championship, that will cut down costs.

[PRO_32]

Maybe kevin Rudd can sling a few billion at F1 as part of his stimulus package..

[sav man]

maybe kevin can hire a hitman to fix up mosley

[sh@un]

This much I know for sure about the '09 season: If Bridgestone play those same 2 fkn commercials ad nauseum like they did in '08, ima lose my shit...

[Gts-t]

Hamilton, nuff said

[knore]

is it just me or does it feel like F1 is dying? everything happening now seems completely against the whole spirit and attraction of the sport.

Yeah

F1 without technology, innovation, constant progression and IMPROVEMENT.. Is not F1.

Maybe we should start a class action against f1 management for getting us hooked then making it shit!

Without proper f1 there is such a big void in motorsport..

[gtr660hp]

is it just me or does it feel like F1 is dying? everything happening now seems completely against the whole spirit and attraction of the sport.

With Honda gone Bernie has to wake up and smell the coffee. F1 has run its course in its current (stupid expensive) form and will have to change to survive. The new proposed regs may be a start.

[BezerkR32]

what are these rumours of toyota pulling out?

With Honda gone Bernie has to wake up and smell the coffee. F1 has run its course in its current (stupid expensive) form and will have to change to survive. The new proposed regs may be a start.

[BezerkR32]

i hope it will be a case of the older dog being re-born and rejuvinated with the introduction of the new pup.

Button gave up the ghost as soon as he joined Honda, how could you seriously live with yourself going from the front row every race with Ferrari to the back row in a Honda and still be motivated to race.

I'd rather see Webber crash out from having a go (like DC always did with his up the inside moves) than just sit comfortable in 10th and let anyone past that hangs off his rear wing.

[Duncan]

meh manufacturers always come and go in f1, ferrari included. they aren't really the backbone of f1, the innovative motorsport engineer teams are. the place would be much better if the manufacturers left, budgets would immediately fall by miles

[ctjet]

This much I know for sure about the '09 season: If Bridgestone play those same 2 fkn commercials ad nauseum like they did in '08, ima lose my shit...

lol

and those fkn honda commercials should come to an abrubt end too

if only they can that toyota one too

[ctjet]

Bernie Ecclestone has furiously hit back Luca di Montezemolo after the Ferrari president hinted that it is time for him to step down from his position as Formula One commercial rights holder.

Di Montezemolo said: "I think sooner or later he has to stop" and went on to obliquely mention the fact that the sport didn't need a "dictator" in a thinly veiled swipe at Ecclestone.

Ecclestone, though, hasn't taken kindly to Di Montezemolo's criticism and revealed that F1 has a "special deal" with the Scuderia which goes back to 2003 when they threatened to form a breakaway championship.

"The only thing he has not mentioned is the extra money Ferrari get above all the other teams and all the extra things Ferrari have had for years - the 'general help' they are considered to have had in Formula One," Ecclestone is quoted in The Times.

"Ferrari get so much more money than everyone else. They know exactly what they get, they are not that stupid, although they are not that bright, either. They get about $80 million (about £54 million) more. When they win the Constructors' Championship, which they did this year, they got $80 million more than if McLaren had won it.

"They were the only team that broke ranks with the other manufacturers - why did they break ranks?

"That's where the $80 million comes in. We 'bought' Ferrari. We 'bought' Ferrari's loyalty. Our deal with Ferrari was that we 'bought' them so they would not go to the others."

[djr81]

This is the bit that grabbed my attention:

"When they win the constructors' championship, which they did this year, they got $80 million more than if McLaren had won it.