Motorsports Thread

[AndyRM]

It would be nice if F1 returned to actual racing though rather than 75% of the race being about tyre management.

Is that not where the seemingly inevitable 3 stop per race strategy is taking things? They were banging on about how entertaining it had made yesterday's race.

Also it baffles me that pirelli are the only tyre supplier. I guess it makes things the same for everyone, but still.

 

[FishFright]

It would be nice if F1 returned to actual racing though rather than 75% of the race being about tyre management.

There's always been some form of management going on .

 

[icowden]

There's always been some form of management going on .

True. It just feels like we quite often get to "well, we are just going to watch 20 laps of cars going round in circles now as all of the drivers wait until the last 5 to 10 laps to make sure that they have enough tyre life to actually race".

 

[icowden]

In other news Mohammed Ben Sulayem has proposed that F1 needs more teams and fewer races. Sounds good to me!

 

[Jody]

In other news Mohammed Ben Sulayem has proposed that F1 needs more teams and fewer races. Sounds good to me!

This will be a major sticking point with the FOM in terms of the dilution fund and reduced value of the 10 that have held/grown the sport together.

Andretti may have won FIA approval but not that of FOM or the teams

 

[FishFright]

True. It just feels like we quite often get to "well, we are just going to watch 20 laps of cars going round in circles now as all of the drivers wait until the last 5 to 10 laps to make sure that they have enough tyre life to actually race".

I watched back when they did that with engines because they only just lasted for one race, then it was fuel and now it's tyres.

 

[FishFright]

This will be a major sticking point with the FOM in terms of the dilution fund and reduced value of the 10 that have held/grown the sport together.

Andretti may have won FIA approval but not that of FOM or the teams

I can imagine GM won't be happy if the Euro manufactures block their entry . Even though it'll be a Renault engine for while.

 

[Jody]

I can imagine GM won't be happy if the Euro manufactures block their entry . Even though it'll be a Renault engine for while.

But they can surely appreciate the reasons why. I can't imagine they would want to dilute a prize fund had it been the other way round

 

[FishFright]

But they can surely appreciate the reasons why. I can't imagine they would want to dilute a prize fund had it been the other way round

The whole prize fund thing is a nonsense, I suspect it's just a gambit from the teams to get more money from the FOM.

But most importantly blocking Andretti and GM will seriously damage the sport's reputation in the US market which will guarantee a smaller prize pot and a serious amount of legal fees.

 

[Jody]

The whole prize fund thing is a nonsense, I suspect it's just a gambit from the teams to get more money from the FOM.

And so they should. That prize money is accounted for as part of the overall business model. Why would you take an X% cut

But most importantly blocking Andretti and GM will seriously damage the sport's reputation in the US market which will guarantee a smaller prize pot and a serious amount of legal fees.

In which case, Liberty can put a hand into their pocket and produce a few quid extra. The pot was of a sufficient size before swelling the US market.

Not sure about the legal fees as it's only the FIA that have accepted them and not FOM/Liberty

 

[Reynard]

I had a fabby day watching the BTCC meeting from Brands. I'm not a fan of his, but serious chapeau to Ash Sutton for winning his fourth title, same number as the great Andy Rouse, and the only driver to win the title in BOTH rear wheel drive and front wheel drive machinery, and setting the record for the most number of wins in the season. Chapeau also to Ting, who might have won two races to Ash's 12, but who pushed him all the way simply by being consistent.

Regarding F1 and tyre stops, I've been wading through Autosports from 88 and 89 of late, and most cars back then were getting through the race without stopping for tyres. Or maybe just stopping the once.

 

[FishFright]

And so they should. That prize money is accounted for as part of the overall business model. Why would you take an X% cut


In which case, Liberty can put a hand into their pocket and produce a few quid extra. The pot was of a sufficient size before swelling the US market.

Not sure about the legal fees as it's only the FIA that have accepted them and not FOM/Liberty

There all ready is a dilution fee of £200 million , on top of entry, which will be split between the existing team.

The pot wasn't enough before the expansion with many teams running a loss .

You can't really think Andretti consortium won't sue if the FOM block entry despite Andretti complying with every single of the requirements for entry ? Especially as such actions are illegal under EU law where the sport is based.

All this ridiculous posturing is just a money grab.

 

[Alex321]

I had a fabby day watching the BTCC meeting from Brands. I'm not a fan of his, but serious chapeau to Ash Sutton for winning his fourth title, same number as the great Andy Rouse, and the only driver to win the title in BOTH rear wheel drive and front wheel drive machinery, and setting the record for the most number of wins in the season. Chapeau also to Ting, who might have won two races to Ash's 12, but who pushed him all the way simply by being consistent.

Regarding F1 and tyre stops, I've been wading through Autosports from 88 and 89 of late, and most cars back then were getting through the race without stopping for tyres. Or maybe just stopping the once.

I think they only started routinely changing tyres when they started refuelling in the middle of races.

But then once they did start doing so, the manufacturers started making tyres that wouldn't last the whole race, and that continued once refuelling was banned.

And now, of course, even if the tyre manufacturer wanted to go back to making tyres last the race, the regulations require at least two compounds to be used, so at least one tyre stop is mandatory.

 

[Jody]

They met the FIAs entry requirements and that doesn't guarantee entry.

As for the prize money, if some teams are already running a loss them what does less money in the pot mean?

Plus 200 mill split 10 ways to cover 5 years of reduced earning. Would you do it if you were a TP for one of the 10?

Mclaren are only backing because of Indy car and Alipne have a vested interest. Otherwise they too would be against.

 

[Reynard]

I think they only started routinely changing tyres when they started refuelling in the middle of races.

But then once they did start doing so, the manufacturers started making tyres that wouldn't last the whole race, and that continued once refuelling was banned.

And now, of course, even if the tyre manufacturer wanted to go back to making tyres last the race, the regulations require at least two compounds to be used, so at least one tyre stop is mandatory.

Yes and no. Refuelling in F1 first reared its head in the early 1980s with Brabham realising it was advantageous to start races on half tanks.