Just When You Think The GPMA Will Go Away…..
Written by George Katinger · December 9, 2005
The WMSC (World Motor Sport Council) issues it’s decree for Formula One regulations for 2008. If this doesn’t stiffen the resolve of the GPMA to move forward with their own series, nothing will.
motorsport.com: WMSC approves 2008 technical changes
f1.racing-live.com: Many changes for the 2008 season
Just when you think harmony is around the corner the legacy of Max’s constant meddling rears it’s ugly head. Yes, the proposed regulation changes Max put forth to reduce costs and “dumb down” the technology of F1 has been formally ratified by the WMSC. The regulations will be clarified before the end of the year.
Highlights of the proposed changes:
A standard Electronic Control Unit
Long life engines
Long life gearboxes
A single tyre supplier
Restrictions on the ability of the teams to change their aerodynamics during the season
Rev-limited engines
and other measures
Next thing you know they will be adding fenders, bumpers and decals of head light - tail light assemblies ala NASCAR! Mercedes, BMW, and even Toyota and Honda cannot be pleased with these latest developments. And the constant changing of the rules and regulations is what has the car companies in a twist. The change from V10’s to V8’s alone is rumored to be costing the teams in excess of 2 billion dollars. Nice savings Max, and now you want to bring the competitive options down to nothing?
If the GPMA do not move off into their own series I forsee a more drastic impact. It is not beyond the realm of possibilities that they all leave the sport, which is what that evil genius Max has been forecasting. Even Notradamus had no way of manipulating conditions to favor the outcome of his predictions.
I guess we will be reduced to independent engine suppliers like Cosworth and Zytek getting trounced by Ferrari week in and week out. Nice vision Max, you should become partners with Tony George, he’s managing to kill off open wheel racing in the States and you’re working the world stage.
Meanwhile, has anyone else noticed that the restricted V10’s are consistently 1.5 to 2 seconds a lap quicker in winter testing than the V8’s? More fun to follow on that issue!
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8 Responses to “Just When You Think The GPMA Will Go Away…..”
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1. A standard Electronic Control Unit ; No way! the manufacturers will never accept it. Same goes for long life engines, they hate the existing 2 race rule as it is.
2. Long life gearboxes; forget it, the existing units are basically disposable high performance units.The idea of stretching gear box life is alien to modern F1.
George, crack out the Fosters! 2006 will be a year of Max related rantings on this site.
3. A single tyre supplier; well that’s going to be goodbye Michelin, hello Bridgestone.Personally I’m not fussed with a single tyre formula, but I feel sorry for Michelin, they have been stuffed around by Max since entering F1.
4. Restrictions on the ability of the teams to change their aerodynamics during the season;so much for evolution & development throughout the season.Max want’s teams who make a poor start to a year NOT to work on improving their car? God help us!
I’m begining to think Max’s wants the GPMA to go ahead.He must believe (& there is historical precedent) it will implode under costs, having learned their lesson, those left standing, will be welcomed back under his terms.
Is it too late to give ole Max Shaken Baby Syndrome? Or is that what he’s already suffering from?
Why doesn’t he just have Dallara create a chasis and tell Honda and Toyota to provide customer engines for everybody? Wait… that sounds familiar somehow. At any rate, I fear for the future of F1. The out of control spending needs to be curtailed. That includes putting a stop to the radical changes proposed by ole Max every few months.
While keeping spending within reasonable limits is a noble goal, defining “reasonable” is what the question should be.
Currently only Midland is on the grid with serious cash problems. Maybe Williams if he can’t come up with a sponsor and the coin to pay for engines.
But Minardi and Jordan are gone, and hence all the concerns about “little” teams with them. The top echelon of motor sports will always cost the most to compete in. Either cough up the budget required or get out, it’s as simple as that; and the fab five car makers may do just that, get out.
“…and the fab five car makers may do just that, get out.”
Hurray!? I understand what you’re saying about spending. I want F1 to be the pinnacle of motorsports, too. But the economy is a little scary right now. So the automakers need a better return on their investment.
F1 needs the auto makers. Maybe not so many, but it does need a few. I believe that’s where the majority of the money will always come from.
I can argue boths sides of this dispute. Both sides have good points and bad. But when it comes down to it I don’t want a breakaway series. That will only weaken both sides. And no, I don’t want the GPMA to just knuckle under and obey whatever the FIA says.
The FIA (Max) really need there head seeing too. First he has mucked about with the engines (daft), pi55ed Michelin off about tyres, made the GPMA a reality, and now he really wants to kill F1 off.
I really hope the GPMA work out there series, yes I don’t want 2 series either, but there won’t be 2! Ferrari cannot be a series on it’s own, especially if the VAG rumours turn out to be true, as red-bull would be powered by a car manufacturer (that would more than definitely join the GPMA). So there would be 1 series, GPMA. Bring it on.
If you can’t fund your team, take up F2 ;)
I think the basic problem, like all governmental structures, they forget their proper role. They are there to regulate the sport, as created by the participants; not to recreate the series in the image of their own choosing.
I still fail to believe the GPMA have the political will to follow up on the issue of Max alone and invest 300 million dollars. I think they (all or some, starting with Renault) will pull the plug on the team concept and maybe revert to just supplying engines.
Then Williams’ on/off engine deal with Toyota might look pretty neat. That is if the Cozzie is not the wonder it might be.
Honda already have Super Aguri ready. Ferrari have .. Oh no. Rules don’t apply to Ferrari.
BMW would have to sell the team back to Peter Sauber and dear old Eddie Jordan could end up with what? Renault engines? It would be an interesting first few seasons.