Customer cars in F1

[Ed]

The subject of customer cars in Formula 1 is heating up as the FIA intends to allow a team to buy the entire car from another team. In fact, that is the model that Prodrive boss David Richards is taking.

Williams boss Frank Williams is very much against this model as he is a private constructor but relies on an engine manufacturer to power his cars. Everything else though is built or sourced by his team.

Williams appears to be losing this battle. In a discussion he had with FIA President Max Mosely late last year, Mosely told that the business model Williams is using is 'history' and that from now on it is manufacturers and B teams.

It is a tough one, do we want to see 4 or 6 or even more cars in Formula 1 that are identical or do we want to see 12 teams each with their own cars fight it out.
The first has the potential of closer racing and low operating costs but also has the potential of making Formula 1 become more like GP2. (If a certain manufacturer dominates, everyone will buy that car and the other manufacturers will exit the sport) while the latter ensures the teams compete on both the technical and racing levels but also has the potential of driving the smaller teams out of business due to rising costs.

Personally I would prefer 12 individual teams as Formula 1 has always been the pinnacle of motorsport where technology and racing combine to produce the best. The problem with that is can there be 12 teams with big budgets that can stay in Formula 1 in the long term ?

[gkaytaz]

The subject of customer cars in Formula 1 is heating up as the FIA intends to allow a team to buy the entire car from another team. In fact, that is the model that Prodrive boss David Richards is taking.

That, as you have put well, is the road to GP2. I have nothing against Prodrive competing in F1 as long as they contribute to the sport by developing their own stuff.

Williams boss Frank Williams is very much against this model as he is a private constructor but relies on an engine manufacturer to power his cars. Everything else though is built or sourced by his team.

Williams appears to be losing this battle. In a discussion he had with FIA President Max Mosely late last year, Mosely told that the business model Williams is using is 'history' and that from now on it is manufacturers and B teams.

In the end we'll end up with Ferrari, Renault, (BMW or Mercedes) and (Toyota or Honda). Four different cars at best. Hmm... Why does that remind me of the foursome Chevrolet -Pontiac-Ford-Dodge?

It is a tough one, do we want to see 4 or 6 or even more cars in Formula 1 that are identical or do we want to see 12 teams each with their own cars fight it out.

Definitely not the former. If someone wants to see that kind of racing there's always NASCAR... The day that happens will be the last time I watched F1.

The first has the potential of closer racing and low operating costs but also has the potential of making Formula 1 become more like GP2. (If a certain manufacturer dominates, everyone will buy that car and the other manufacturers will exit the sport) while the latter ensures the teams compete on both the technical and racing levels but also has the potential of driving the smaller teams out of business due to rising costs.

There'd be no point for smaller teams to struggle anymore. While they are at it why not change the circuits to simple ovals?

Personally I would prefer 12 individual teams as Formula 1 has always been the pinnacle of motorsport where technology and racing combine to produce the best. The problem with that is can there be 12 teams with big budgets that can stay in Formula 1 in the long term ?

Agreed. Essentially the individuality is what makes F1 so enjoyable. As for the number of teams, I think 12 has been a good level. Some success on Toyota and Honda's part might lure Hyundai into the sport. Then there is Cosworth whose engines were extraordinary if not legendary... They could supply another team. Well, alright, I'll allow for a couple of B-teams such as Honda-Aguri or RBR-STR given that they develop their own chassis

All in all I think it is better to allow teams to only buy engines from factory teams. Chassis should be their own work.

[Julian Mayo]

History repeats, there was a time when it was considered that a team could not win unless they had a Renault Turbo........BOOOM
Ford Cosworth.....eventually someone beat a ford CW, but in the interim, there were some darned good duels

[Ed]

History repeats indeed but that applies to anything not just racing!

The question is though, do we want a Formula based on 1, 2 or 3 chassis/engines ? What would make it appeal ? There are closer duels in all the lower formulae yet nothing has the appeal of F1 so it can't be just the closer duels!

[Julian Mayo]

It creates an opportunity for a Jim Clark, Senna, Jackie Stewart........et al
Then some one will stuff up the chassis design, n Max's grandkid will run around imposing a whole new set of regs.......Look out for the Williams F1 Hydrogen Turbo.......wins on windy days

[gkaytaz]

History repeats indeed but that applies to anything not just racing!

The question is though, do we want a Formula based on 1, 2 or 3 chassis/engines ? What would make it appeal ? There are closer duels in all the lower formulae yet nothing has the appeal of F1 so it can't be just the closer duels!

Closer duels yes, but I'd rather see at least 8 different cars duking it out on the track. Some might be faster on the straights, some in the curves... F1 is and should remain a showcase of technological excellence, not reduced to driver talent only.

[Julian Mayo]

Hmmmm........I see, and acknowledge, your viewpoint.
My background has led me to a different stance.
There surely should be a playing field where a driver can hold a trophy aloft, and be acknowledged as the fastest driver in the World.

[Kapel]

IMHO,
When engines sharing doesnt account to rage from ppl why does chassis sharing?

But again,yes v need different cars around for being unique & for competitiveness.

Wouldnt b a bad idea for some1 like Newey or Gascoyne or anyone to start a company supplying different chassis with different design..like CosWorth did for engines

[gkaytaz]

IMHO,
When engines sharing doesnt account to rage from ppl why does chassis sharing?

But again,yes v need different cars around for being unique & for competitiveness.

Wouldnt b a bad idea for some1 like Newey or Gascoyne or anyone to start a company supplying different chassis with different design..like CosWorth did for engines

I think people prefer the cars to be visually different as well, not only technically. When it comes to cost-cutting engine freeze is the easiest route to take. Perhaps the cars won't be as unique as we hope for them to be but at least teams can develop their own aero packages. I guess we'll all have to wait and see how the new season shapes up. If it stinks and F1 goes down the road to become a clone of NASCAR it'll simply spell doom on the sport. Hope that won't ever be the case cuz I like watching F1 races quite a bit

[cmlean]

I really don't have a problem with customer cars. With the freeze on engines, it comes back to a driver to extract the best out of his car. Again, setup will have a lot to do with it but it will also give an indication on just who can drive and who just got the drive through financial backing.