Ferrari calls for F1 “revolution”

79 comments on “Ferrari calls for F1 “revolution””

1. 

   Strontium (@strontium)
   24th January 2015, 0:08

   I’m hearing stories that FOM are now trying to take down websites and twitter accounts that use ‘F1’ or ‘Formula 1’, etc. in their title. I’m not sure how true this is, but if it is then they are certainly doing a good job of lowering the viewing figures and fans.

   Also, apparently they have removed many fan F1 footage videos from YouTube on the basis of copyright even though the footage isn’t theirs.

   Has anyone heard anything about this?
   1. 

      StefMeister (@stefmeister)
      24th January 2015, 0:19

      Also, apparently they have removed many fan F1 footage videos from YouTube on the basis of copyright even though the footage isn’t theirs.

      @strontium

      FOM own the rights to all F1 footage shot during a race weekend since 1981 & now anything shot at official test session where there’s more than 1 team even if they didn’t shoot the footage themselfs. I believe there used to be disclaimers on tickets which stated that any images or video you shoot at the track belong to them & I’m fairly sure thats common practice across most sports nowadays.

      I’ve also seen reports of broadcasters like BBC & Sky in the UK (And ITV before that) requesting f1 related footage be removed from websites so its not just FOM that have stuff taken down.
      1. 

         Strontium (@strontium)
         24th January 2015, 0:22

         Ah right, I wasn’t aware of that first point (still don’t think it is right of them in any way) so thank you for informing me.
      2. 

         ColdFly F1 (@)
         24th January 2015, 3:42

         IANOL and always wonder what can they do if I shoot a home video and my TV happens to be in shot and happens to be on F1? (@stefmeister)

         I know that all programmes have Copyright/etc disclaimers, and so do many other images/text and brands (registered trade mark) which show up in home videos. But that would make it next to impossible to make any video/photo and share it.
      3. 

         M3CR
         24th January 2015, 8:51

         I went to the 2013 Canadian Grand Prix and the ticket did say we could not take pictures or video for copyright reasons.

         Just another way F1 alienates its fans.
         1. 

            George O'Donnell (@georgeod)
            24th January 2015, 9:53

            @M3CR Please correct me if I’m wrong! I thought it was ok to take pictures as long as they are used privately, ie. stay at home, not used for profit, not published to the internet etc.
            1. 

               M3CR
               24th January 2015, 13:47

               That doesn’t stop most of the spectators for, taking pictures or recording videos anyway.

               I don’t own F1 nor do I profit from it. What does FOM have to fear?
         2. 

            SteveR
            24th January 2015, 16:15

            At the US GP COTA allows cameras but no video..

            (From the COTA website)
            Not allowed: Video cameras, audio recording devices and tripods; no video recording will be allowed.

            Allowed: Personal camera equipment (e.g. digital cameras, point-and-click digital cameras or film cameras.
   2. 

      Canderous (@yoshif8tures)
      24th January 2015, 2:02

      FOM doesn’t care about fans, FOM cares only about money. I Refuse to spend a cent on F1 and if I can’t watch a race live then there are always other forms of racing that do care about fans.
   3. 

      ECWDanSelby (@ecwdanselby)
      24th January 2015, 3:28

      It’s so strange the FIA going so Draconian in a day and age where it’s really all about the complete opposite.

      They should be embracing exposure and fandom, and if anything, encouraging it.

      I’m at an age (28) where I saw the internet grow. It grew from a dial-up bunch of distortion to view a few word documents to something that’s used commonly by the public on a daily basis.

      Why Formula 1 of all ‘brands’ isn’t embracing this is bizarre. You can only point your finger at the head honcho who has been so negatively outspoken about social media.

      FIA could make a boat load of cash selling an F1 Archive subscription. Every race, unedited. Hell, do some with Murray Walker or Martin Brundle commentary over the top, take old races and add all the modern presentation to them. Maybe even take newer races and add an older presentation to them, even taking a recent season race and applying the 90’s FIA graphics to them and some Murray and Martin commentary?

      I don’t know, i’m firing off random ideas, but all I know is if they bothered to do this, and advertised the hell out of it over Twitter, Facebook, and on their broadcasts, they could make some money and promote some interest. And surely that’s what F1 and the CVC want..?

      Strange! Rant over.
      1. 

         bull mello (@bullmello)
         24th January 2015, 6:01

         The funny thing is that the all sponsors would enjoy all the extra exposure gained by being widespread on the internet, which is where many, many consumers watch things. After all, they are spending huge money on marketing already. Not to mention all the additional exposure to potential new F1 fans. The description “Information Superhighway” is ancient in tech years, but more applicable than ever. FOM is not even looking for the onramp.
      2. 

         pxcmerc (@)
         24th January 2015, 6:13

         if you live in the UK or the US I would question your judgment about the FIA being Draconian and it being contrary to contemporary times. The FIA is just like any other governing body/institution. It uses licensing and legal measures to obstruct competition and dominate where able. The FIA will make a boat load of cash by taxing drivers through the super license, dictating terms and conditions to circuits through licensing, and direct the course of the racing series through regulation. It has the power to regulate what it wants and become even more powerful an interest to those who want exposures and tv time.
         1. 

            David BR2
            24th January 2015, 11:51

            Yes but Dan’s point is that social media is a prime means of generating publicity and more interactive interest. Banning amateur footage, websites with F1 in their name (??!) and so on is just plain ridiculous. Here in Brazil popularity has waned so much that some races aren’t shown now free-to-air (e.g. the US race this year) even when the channel has the TV rights. It’s a mixture of alienation and watering down Formula 1 with DRS, rubbish tyre rules that the public don’t understand and don’t want to understand, and lowering the thrill factor: overall speed, endless bland race tracks, nonsense with safety cars when there’s a light drizzle. It’s not often I agree with Ferrari, but Arrivabene is right. Formula 1 needs to inject some speed and excitement back into the sport. And the very last thing it needs to do is insult the remaining fanbase with the kind of snide remarks Ecclestone was making about ‘non-Rolex-buying’ fans.
      3. 

         Loen (@loen)
         24th January 2015, 9:25

         It’s not the FIA doing this. THe FIA merely ( these days VERY merely) the sports
         regulatory body. This is action by Formula One Management (FOM) in other words
         BCE ( Bernard Charles Ecclestone ) and CVC Capital Partners, Formula One outright
         owners.
   4. 

      stefano (@alfa145)
      24th January 2015, 9:56

      It’s not news story, but it’s taking effect now. I’m italian and the italian site f1passion.it had to change -in the end- its URL to formulapassion.it because 1 yr ago or a bit more they received the invite to do that, or the site would be SHUT down. Yes, that’s what happened.
   5. 

      Breno (@austus)
      24th January 2015, 11:01

      Youtube has a system that automatically takes down copyrighted material so they dont deal with the legal problems.
   6. 

      Slava (@)
      24th January 2015, 15:36

      I must add that I watch biathlon WC for free on the official channel in a great quality.
      MotoGP is available on-line for a 100 Euro (or something like that).
      F1 is still a retarded sport.
      I have a strong feeling, that when Alonso finishes his career, and if Hulk doesn’t get a top-team place, then I will definitely stop watching this, already stupid, racing.
2. 

   StefMeister (@stefmeister)
   24th January 2015, 0:15

   Completely agree with COTD, GP2 bringing in DRS is unnecisary no matter how you look at it.

   I expect that the overall quality racing in GP2 this year will suffer & that we will lose many of those exciting overtakng moves that you often see in GP2 in place for the more boring & less interesting rubbish that DRS often produces in F1.

   The junior series should be about the drivers, It should be about teaching the youngsters how to race, How to overtake & they should be honing there racecraft. It should also be about highlighting the best drivers, The best racers, The best overtakers, The best defenders & those with the best racecraft.
   Having DRS removes much of that & if you end up with a situation where everyone can overtake just as easily by pressing a button then your failing on all of those fronts.

   I may not like DRS in F1 (In fact I loathe the stupid thing) but I at least see why they went with it, In GP2 introducing DRS simply makes zero sense as the racing, Overtaking in GP2 has always been one of the best things about GP2 & why i’ve become such a big fan of the category the last 10 years.

   I just hope that it ends up been a very short ‘experiment’ & that it ends up gone for 2016.
   1. 

      Robert (@gicu)
      24th January 2015, 1:09

      Exactly, on all accounts. Has anyone who watched a GP2 race ever said “Well, it’s all a bit boring, isn’t it? Let’s have more overtakes on the straights in a manner that the leading car has no chance of defending”. The chassis of the GP2 cars is great for natural, undistorted racing. To introduce DRS so that drivers aspiring towards F1 get used to it is idiotic and moronic. It’s a beep followed by the press of the button, how much prep do they need?
   2. 

      Iestyn Davies (@fastiesty)
      24th January 2015, 11:50

      Agreed. Tyre deg and DRS is like a ‘double sticking plaster’, i.e. without neither you get 2010, with both you get current F1, with just one you get the best of both like GP2.

      DRS is perfectly made for FR3.5, which is like pre-2009 F1. There, some DRS would let cars follow closely and pass. GP2 is like current F1 with Pirelli tyre deg, and GP3 a light entry to it (or not).

      In fact, GP3 is the series that now needs DRS, after they did away with tyre degradation, but with the lack of wing it probably wouldn’t be too effective anyway.
3. 

   Seppo (@helava)
   24th January 2015, 0:17

   I was gonna be knee-jerk dismissive of the “Evolution or Revolution” article, with some pithy comment like, “I’ll care what Ferrari has to say when they’re not a midfield team with a #1 budget,” but I read the article and agreed with every word of it (except maybe re: the noise).
   1. 

      Strontium (@strontium)
      24th January 2015, 0:20

      I read the article and although I don’t specifically disagree or agree with it, I still maintain that Ferrari should do less talking and more engineering.
      1. 

         BasCB (@bascb)
         24th January 2015, 14:18

         This @strontium
   2. 

      StefMeister (@stefmeister)
      24th January 2015, 0:27

      I still think its something which should be left alone as the engines are going to get more powerful & the cars are going to get faster anyway so there’s no need to make a big push for it via more rule changes.

      For instance I saw an article earlier from Pirelli saying from the data they have from teams & with the tyre compounds there going for there expecting the cars to be upto 3 seconds a lap faster this year.

      I still think the focus should be on the racing & not the spectacle, wow factor & show. You can have the most spectacular, wow factor cars in the history of F1 but if the racing is rubbish then whats the point.

      For all the complaining & criticism from guys like Bernie, People at Ferrari & whoever else last year I thought the racing was actually pretty good & overall I enjoyed 2014 more than the past few & i’d rather more seasons like that with the current cars than more spectacle if the racing isn’t so good.
      1. 

         @HoHum (@hohum)
         24th January 2015, 0:45

         Exactly @stefmeister, burnouts, doughnuts and ear-drum splitting exhausts are initially exciting but the novelty wears off PDQ, engineering excellence and close racing always intrigue.
         1. 

            BasCB (@bascb)
            24th January 2015, 14:19

            Well said @hohum. All of that is just another form of gimmicks
   3. 

      bull mello (@bullmello)
      24th January 2015, 1:37

      Seems ironic mentioning new regulations and cost reductions in the same statement. Not much substance in the article, mostly buzz-words.
      1. 

         @HoHum (@hohum)
         24th January 2015, 1:59

         Yep, thats the marketing dept. for you.
         1. 

            bull mello (@bullmello)
            24th January 2015, 6:06

            @hohum – Hard to believe how fascinated management is with appearances when close racing could be their biggest selling point.
   4. 

      James Devon (@tata)
      24th January 2015, 9:10

      I hope Ferrari fans and people, very dissatisfied with MercedesAmgF1 superior engineering with the current rules which was championed by Renault and Ferrari, will not complain in the future and scream for rules change or scrapping, if Ferrari’s current suggestion is accepted and Mercedes or Honda leap-frogs them on yet another rules change they pushed for. I particularly like the fact that we don’t hear much from MercedesAmgF1. They just seem to be content almost quietly going about their business.

      I think Ferrari and the likes should stick to trying to get their cars to the front first, whithin they current rules they, allegedly campaigned for, before asking for a ‘revolution’ of the formula.

      I particularly like the fact that we don’t hear much from MercedesAmgF1. They seem to be content almost quietly going about their business.
      Bring on whatever new formula being campaigned for, just don’t scream blue murder if you get beaten.
      1. 

         Loen (@loen)
         24th January 2015, 9:35

         Yep ! Mercedes new motto…

         ‘Speak Softly and Carry A Big Stick(power/aero advantage)’

         Stop whining Ferrari. Just get on with learning how to build really fast competitor
         to Mercedes, Williams, Red Bull, and (hopefully )Mclaren.
4. 

   @HoHum (@hohum)
   24th January 2015, 0:27

   Heaven help us, the marketing men are in charge, it will be all bells and whistles from now on and no substance. However if Arriverbeni is reffering to cutting the cost of aerodynamics when he talks about parts the public are not interested in, which I suspect he is, then I am in total agreement, F1 should be about amazing engines, excellent suspensions and terrific tyres being driven by heroic drivers, F1 should not be about high drag downforce, disintergrating tyres and drivers good at coasting to save fuel.
   1. 

      toiago (@toiago)
      24th January 2015, 0:41

      You are for many variables of which car performance depend upon, so why neglecting aerodynamics? Doesn’t make any sense to me, as it’s perhaps the most important factor when considering where the car performance comes from. I know it drives costs up, but, since drag will always be there, and so will lift/downforce, teams might as well make the best use of it as possible, as they do with the “amazing engines, excellent suspensions and terrific tyres”.
      1. 

         @HoHum (@hohum)
         24th January 2015, 0:59

         @toiago, If we can have unrestricted development I will agree with you, but if we have to have cost saving restrictions then I would prefer the savings to be found in the area of creating downforce than in the creation of fuel efficient power and mechanical grip. Creating fuel efficient power and mechanical grip are useful to the auto industry and the planet, drag induced downforce is the opposite of what the auto industry and the planet need, low drag increases efficiency.
         1. 

            toiago (@toiago)
            24th January 2015, 1:12

            Creating fuel efficient power and mechanical grip are useful to the auto industry and the planet, drag induced downforce is the opposite of what the auto industry and the planet need, low drag increases efficiency.

            I suppose for that we have GT categories, in which downforce isn’t as important as other areas of development, namely the ones you already referred.
            1. 

               @HoHum (@hohum)
               24th January 2015, 2:06

               Right, I wish the top class’ of WEC had 2 hr sprint races on the traditional GP tracks and FTA tv coverage.
         2. 

            Ricky Johnson (@bamboo)
            24th January 2015, 12:01

            The problem with the aerodynamics debacle is it is a stalemate. The ones that meet and recommend the new rules are the very ones that have invested in wind tunnels – they are not going to push for rules that reduce their competitive advantage due to investing in a wind tunnel. Like most initiatives for the better of the sport it will take its usual route of hiss, roar, fart, nothing.

            Does F1 need a revolution? Absolutely. I would love to see the average age of an F1 fan vs the average age of the very people running the sport. But if it is to be done it needs to be done right. This sport has so much potential in this world and simply has not reached it due to egos and the emphasis on the bottom line. I know some people view the sport as a vehicle of revenue that will one day be sold for a profit, but to me it is a very important sport in the world, and I would very much like it to still be around to celebrate its 100th season.

            I’m not even doing to try and beat around the bush with this, but Ecclestone simply needs to go. The sports brand, while apparently being the worlds fastest, currently sits in a cesspit along with the likes of the IOC, FIFA, and numerous boxing organizations. To me, having him as the CEO just screams to me CVCs lack of intent of leaving the sport in a better or same state than what they found it in. This is the problem with sports being privatized. Yes, they can be done the right way when people realize they are merely custodians of the sport, but when done wrong it is always a sad story. To make profit the sole objective in an environment where people are concerned with wins, loss and driver/player transfer eventually confuses the fans and merely drives them away. In this day and age where 1.25 billion people have access to a ridiculous amount of information on their smart phone I’m sure they will all find another sport keep them entertained.

            He needs to go. Fans need to be united on this. I’ve haven’t missed a race in 22 years of F1 and I am at the stage where I have better things to do with my Sunday afternoons. I don’t want to, but the feeling this sport used to give me simply isn’t there.

            This is an issue specific to F1 – I am very much looking forwards to the upcoming WEC and Formula Renault 3.5 seasons.
      2. 

         DaveD (@daved)
         24th January 2015, 2:34

         I’ll take a crack at that one: I don’t like all the aerodynamic twiddly bits because they make it impossible to get any passes. As soon as the trailing car gets close, the front wing washes out from the dirty air of the lead car and loses all it’s downforce and can’t pass because it’s grip goes away from a sudden lack of downforce on the front end.
         1. 

            @HoHum (@hohum)
            24th January 2015, 5:11

            And that, especially that.
   2. 

      pxcmerc (@)
      24th January 2015, 6:16

      have you seen MotoGP lately? F1 is going that way. In the land of MotoGP, all the teams just want to be in the circus, they don’t even care about winning, just as long as they get air time and positive press. The TV heads own MotoGP, and there is no competition, only blind commentary, and celebrity appeal. F1 is going that way, they (some commentators) seem to hold a much higher standard though. Money buys a lot, even some people’s souls.
      1. 

         @HoHum (@hohum)
         24th January 2015, 20:06

         A bit harsh, MotoGP usually provides a lot more excitement than F1, and except in the case of the leader making a breakaway while the podium contenders squabble, much closer (inches/centimeters) racing, and I’m pretty sure Honda and Yamaha really, really care about winning and Ducati would do anything their budget would allow to get back to winning.
5. 

   Sean Doyle (@spdoyle17)
   24th January 2015, 0:30

   Chilton in IndyCar? That doesn’t sound so bad, actually. The talent pool there is about where it has always been, but Max is deliberate. Hone that, and I could see him winning at Pocono before he’s 30. Yes, an oval. Pocono is an odd duck by superspeedway standards, and it is a long race. Give him the right coaching and a good setup, he will stay on the lead lap, that’s for sure. Given his drives, he needs a mentor that can give him positive feedback along with a boot in the backside, and good equipment. He will never be a champion, but in a long race with the right team? One win is possible.

   I would rather have JEV, Di Resta, and post-F1 Button though. If only IndyCar brought back Road America… Button would do well there.
   1. 

      Patrick (@paeschli)
      24th January 2015, 10:41

      Whether you like him or not, Chilton’s career decisions are quite good.
   2. 

      Breno (@austus)
      24th January 2015, 11:04

      Plus, you know, he actually is a safe driver, wasnt his only accident in Canada?
      1. 

         matt90 (@matt90)
         24th January 2015, 14:19

         He took out someone in Monaco 2013 I think.
      2. 

         RogerA
         24th January 2015, 16:22

         He didn’t get involved in many accidents because he never raced anyone.

         As soon as anyone got anywhere near him he always jumped out the way & let them past & while he was behind someone he tended to just sit there & never bother trying to make the pass.

         He just drove below the limit of the car to get to the end & he did that every race. Thats why I don’t find his record of finishes particularly impressive because when your just cruising around staying well out of everyone’s way then your not getting near the point of throwing the car off the road.

         Bianchi on the other hand always got stuck in & raced hard, If he got a sniff of a position gain he’d push hard to get it & if he had someone behind him trying to take his position he’d fight hard to keep it.
6. 

   @HoHum (@hohum)
   24th January 2015, 0:35

   So the FIA squashed that bug!
   1. 

      Fletch (@fletchuk)
      24th January 2015, 2:23

      That’s what it looks like!
7. 

   @HoHum (@hohum)
   24th January 2015, 0:38

   Max V. knows about a new TR10, great, I always liked Triumph sports cars.
   1. 

      DaveD (@daved)
      24th January 2015, 2:35

      LOL Perfect.
8. 

   Neil (@neilosjames)
   24th January 2015, 0:51

   “…definitely applying a cost reduction to those components that are of little interest to the general public.”

   In other words, “the bits we’re no good at making.” Also, it’s nice we have Bernie and Ferrari to tell us what we are and are not interested in, isn’t it?
   1. 

      @HoHum (@hohum)
      24th January 2015, 1:05

      It certainly is self serving but I always loved those V12 motors.
9. 

   Fast
   24th January 2015, 1:58

   I would’ve hoped Streiff to apologize with a counter-suit rather than bowing. Though mentioning his condition as an excuse alludes he lacks the wherewithal and that the FIA would be extremely cruel to pursue this matter.
   1. 

      Brian Cantin
      25th January 2015, 22:15

      They showed him the instruments of torture.
10. 

    Ed Marques (@edmarques)
    24th January 2015, 2:16

    And if Ferrari lose again on this revolution, another one will be needed?
11. 

    Jordi Casademunt (@casjo)
    24th January 2015, 2:16

    Oh, look, Ferrari politicking again. I guess the car is worse than they expected?

    The current rules are okay. The racing has been pretty good, yes, a team has dominated this year, but that happened too with the awesome superclose V12s SOMUCHNOISE, with the old turbos, with the VFerrari10s, with the V8s, it happened in 1950, during the 60s, during the 70s…

    The racing is fine. Is everything outside of the racing that needs fixing. To begin with, who was the genius who thought promoting Formula One as a fuel efficient series would be a good idea? The greens won’t like motorsport anyway, motorsport fans will get turned off by thinking they are watching races between Prii (Toyota, thats a ridiculous plural), everyone loses. Instead they could have said these engines are already more powerful than the V8s or that the higher torque and reduced downforce would make life a lot harder for the drivers.

    Instead, we got old men trying to make Formula One look like the one in their youth. That happened to my hometown. The mayor wanted to make it look like it did back when he was a kid. The result? He completely ruined it.

    So please, old men. Stop trying to ruin Formula One. Look forward, not backwards, because all you are going to do is trip over.
    1. 

       TheBullWhipper (@thebullwhipper)
       24th January 2015, 5:25

       Excellent comment. I couldn’t agree with you more.
       1. 

          Thomas (@tthwaite)
          24th January 2015, 7:17

          +1 Excellent comment.
    2. 

       Fletch (@fletchuk)
       24th January 2015, 11:40

       @casjo

       Oh, look, Ferrari politicking again. I guess the car is worse than they expected?

       Great comment! Laughs aside that’s probably actually the real news of the day!
12. 

    W-K (@w-k)
    24th January 2015, 2:22

    I think Ferrari at the moment should shut up and concentrate on actually building a car and engine that gets then back to where their ego thinks they should be.

    Higher bhp and less aero might make a car with a faster top speed but will be a lot slower around a circuit, and thats funny considering they had a driver who left them that makes the best out of any car he’s asked to drive and replace him with one who has struggled when the rear downforce has been removed.
13. 

    Closs
    24th January 2015, 2:34

    Artificially cranking up the noise to sound like a heavy metal band will just be like any fake heavy metal band.

    F1 should be if nothing else genuine, and cars should sound what they sound like.

    Generally the sound is already liked as it is now, but F1 don’t even know to crank up the sound on the TV production which is obviously where the vast majority of people listen.

    The idea that people sit down to watch F1 on TV for the noise is also weird when F1 represents so much more.

    For me F1 is like a James Bond movie. It’s about the absolute top technology cleverly and subtly applied, not about the bangs, explosions and mindless posing like an average Hollywood film.

    So best you can do is get more tech for us to see. More on screen displays of telemetry, splits etc etc. Show and tell us all about the gizmos. Be a good ‘Q’.. ;)

    Then keep the regulations stable for years so we get more teams fighting closely.
    1. 

       ColdFly F1 (@)
       24th January 2015, 3:49

       F1 don’t even know to crank up the sound on the TV production which is obviously where the vast majority of people listen.

       I also don’t understand that. When I was at the race it sounded quite OK and no complaints from anybody (except the earplug sales boy). But then when I saw the Melbourne GP on TV it was totally different and disappointing. And that has not changed at all during the season.
       1. 

          M3CR
          24th January 2015, 9:01

          This has been my complaint in 2014. The cars sound horrible on TV.

          I remember watching the Brazilian GP qualifying and the beginning had no commentary, and it was glorious. Then the commentary started and it was ruined.

          The Monaco GP was an exception. I was watching the BBC feed and it sounded like the commentators were shouting to be heard over the cars. Now that’s is exciting.
          1. 

             W-K (@w-k)
             24th January 2015, 11:41

             One of the reasons F1 should be broadcast with more than one sound channel, then you could turn up the noise and turn down the commentators.
       2. 

          Solo (@solo)
          2nd April 2015, 14:46

          Bernie hates the new engines, FOM is in charge of the TV coverage, Bernie is the CEO of FOM. Now you get the picture?
14. 

    ECWDanSelby (@ecwdanselby)
    24th January 2015, 3:32

    And in regards to DRS/GP2, I get why everyone’s angry, I just don’t know why some are surprised.

    GP2 wants to be seen as the main feeder series to F1. It will do everything it can to replicate Formula 1 at a cut price, and if this means making a manditory change to all cars, then so be it. Plus, it’s still a relatively exclusive piece of technology to F1 (I understand other catagories such as DTM and Renault 3.5 use it, too) as far as the mainstream goes.

    If anything, it’s just a political move to keep the series relevant. Just like F1 trying to be ‘green’, GP2 is trying to remain F1’s feeder series and will do whatever it takes to do so.
15. 

    Philip (@philipgb)
    24th January 2015, 6:26

    Aerodynamics are for people who can’t build engines.

    And I guess politics are for people who can’t do either.

    Ferrari’s problem was Montezemolo. He ruined the winning setup they had with Todt, Schumacher and Brawn because he saw his power gradually slipping towards them and in the years after did nothing but show the wrong people left.

    I seriously think they need to stop playing politics, let these rules bed in and focus on how to get the best from them they’ve got some good names on the payroll, they just need a leader.

    Any one know what Brawn is up to these days?
    1. 

       anon
       24th January 2015, 9:21

       @philipgb, at the moment Ross Brawn is spending his retirement enjoying one of his main hobbies, which is salmon fishing. So far, at least, there do not seem to be any credible reports linking him to a return to the world of motorsport.
16. 

    Ricky Johnson (@bamboo)
    24th January 2015, 12:13

    I vote WEC and Formula Renault 3.5 merge having both categories running separate races over the weekend. Modify the 3.5 to accommodate a 800-900hp engine that sounds like a skinned cat and if done right I’d say F1 would be die a slow death.

    If it looks good and sounds good the fans will follow. I think the big difference between this and F1 is that it will also feel good.

    Audi, Toyota, Porsche, Lotus, Lola, Nissan, Renault, Aston Martin, Ferrari vs Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Williams and a drinks company

    Bernie can be beaten.
    1. 

       Dizzy
       24th January 2015, 16:28

       If it looks good and sounds good the fans will follow.

       I don’t care how loud a car is or how nice it looks as long as the racing is good & I’d guess many others will be the same.

       I’ve watched WSBR & WEC & think the racing in both is pretty dire, The WSBR cars have too much downforce to race properly & I don’t much care for long distance endurance racing & no amount of sound or pretty cars will change that.
    2. 

       @HoHum (@hohum)
       24th January 2015, 20:18

       But you have forgotten the technical competition that makes F1 standout from the 1-design series, we (especially us seniors) are car fans 1st. driver fans 2nd. otherwise the Tifosi would all be waving Spanish flags and dressing in orange and red.
       1. 

          Ricky Johnson (@bamboo)
          24th January 2015, 23:26

          Valid yes, but having eras of dominance determined by who interpreted the new regulations the best isn’t a great deal of fun either. The season has not even started yet and we have a fair idea on which car will be the dominant one.

          I’m not asking for a standard car, but as a starting point to get the pinnacle of motorsport out of CVCs vice like grip on its nuts I see it as appealing – thats the sort of revolution we should be seeking. When you have a single seater that laps faster than an F1 car, is cheaper to run a season and is a series that is not being financially raped I would expect other teams to follow.

          Do I think the technical competition needs to exist in F1? Absolutely. But I do not think it should be to the extent that it currently is. F1 should impose a limit on wind tunnel use. F1 technical competition is not about having the biggest toys and budgets delivering the results as such, its about innovations, thinking outside the square. It should be a sport for great minds, not great scientists.

          The anti-competitive culture of the sport needs to go. Unless you have an agreement with Bernie for funds outside of the Concorde agreement you don’t really stand a chance.

          Short term sacrifice, long term game. Someone or something needs to break the strangle hold.
17. 

    Simon (@weeniebeenie)
    24th January 2015, 14:46

    Meanwhile, in a parallel universe where Ferrari are on top in F1 – “Ferrari call for stability in Formula 1”.
    1. 

       @HoHum (@hohum)
       24th January 2015, 20:20

       The flux capacitor is set for 2004.
18. 

    Woody (@woodyd91)
    24th January 2015, 15:51

    Cough Cough, “Keep changing the formula until we are winning again” Cough Cough
19. 

    maxthecat
    24th January 2015, 18:09

    We all know what rule Ferrari really want…..

    *section 6 – amendment 4*
    Any team not run by ‘Scuderia Ferrari’ shall, if ahead on the final lap, immediately pull over and retire from the race. If ‘Scuderia Ferrari’ have no cars running at the end of the stated race distance, then the race shall be declared null and void and no championship points awarded.
20. 

    Dave
    24th January 2015, 18:52

    I agree that a revolution in F1 is needed, starting with a change to the practice of paying Ferrari one Euro more than they earn in the WCC, and more fairly distributing the prize money in order to make the sport sustainable for the smaller teams, which hopefully will use the cash to overtake Ferrari.
21. 

    Apex Assassin
    24th January 2015, 21:54

    I loathe agreeing with anything Ferrari says but I agree 100%. The sport is hardly a sport and has def slipped from being the pinnacle of motorsport! The focus on fuel saving and drivetrain longevity should be reserved for WEC and let F1 be about sprint racing! The fastest driver and car. The end.
22. 

    lockup (@)
    25th January 2015, 16:20

    The cars and racing are the best ever. There are two things F1 really needs:

    1. More data. GPS – the teams have it, why don’t we? ERS ditto.
    2. More honesty. Less sneaky tobacco sponsorship for example. Less 2.5% slanted playing field for the cash cow team.

    Maurizio seems to be blissfully unaware that the other teams are going to be back up to V8 speeds this season, they don’t need any more speed. As for Thursday shows away from the circuit, well lol. Doing what exactly? Not, er, motor racing anyway.

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