[libranof1987]

Here's an article I came across :

Ferrari president puts doubt on team's F1 future - The Times of India

Clearly, the restrictions on technical improvements and applications on the car are taking a toll on Ferrari - once known for the sheer awesomeness of their cars.

Wonder if that is any reason for their consistent downfall in F1 standings.

[rjalihal]

Yup this was bound to happen. Apparently, FIA want to make F1 cars run on 4 cyclinders from 2103-2014 season onwards (!). Read that in some German F1 magazine.
I think all manufacturers should get together and start their own season! Pure racing, no kers, minimum driver aid, no driver orders, just pure racing. Survival of the fittest. That would be killer!

Cheers!
Rohan

[Newpunter]

Ferrari are always complaining whenever things don't go their way. They are like the school bully who want everything to go according to their wishes. F1 had 4 cylinder turbo engines before in the 1980s and we had some great races back then. F1 needs to become more environmentally friendly and road relevant if it has to sustain itself in the long run.
Most of the manufacturers like Mercedes, Renault and Cosworth already support this idea. Ferrari doesn't like this as their road cars are completely different.

P.S. I am/ was a Ferrari fan but I don't like their constant whining whenever things don't go their way. Their car is not upto speed and they are already complaining about this year's rules, which everyone else think have helped greatly in improving racing this year.

[libranof1987]

Ferrari had an unchallenged run in F1 in the middle of the the last decade mainly because they had far superior cars than most others. And that was possible because they had huge spending capacity and there was no cap on technology.

Since the last 3 years, F1 has introduced a cap on technological spending; something which has brought Ferrari on the same rank as most other cars.

And this is what is hitting them.

[D33-PAC]

Indeed I think F1 these days is doing a lot of damaging to the Ferrari brand name. How pathetic, Ferrari is being schooled by a Beverage company.

Montezemolo seems to be blackmailing the FIA! F1 revenues would spiral downwards if he actually does so.

[mayankk]

we all know whats going to happen.
expect to see a rule revision mid season, or next year which will accomodate them in some manner.
Its like ferrari brought a cricket bat to a football game, and now waves it over the coach's head, to make everyone play cricket.

remember $100Mn?

[amrisharm]

I have always been a fan of a break-away series where 100% of the revenue generated goes back into the sport and to the participating teams not like now where i think less than 35% is put back into the sport (am not sure so please do not quote me on this one). The remaining 65 goes into the profit books of banks, finance companies and bernie.

So we all know ferrari never does any media marketing for itself, its just an unwritten rule, thats why we never see any ads on tv for ferrari cars or print ads on mags. The only source of advertisement for ferrari is motorsport. So for the president of ferrari to say that they will exit the sport can only mean that they are thinking of maybe forming a break-away series if things dont improve in f1.

If we look at F1 today, a motorsport organisation, we see that there are only a few car manufacturers involved, namely Ferrari, mercedes, Renault and engine specialist cosworth. It is sad to think that the pinnacle of motorsport has only been able to attract 3 of the top 10 car manufacturers. That is a success rate of 30%.

There is a reason why companies like Peugeot, BMW, Honda, Toyota have left the sport, and companies like VW are staying away. Thats because they in some little way agree what Ferrari are saying. Its not about Automotive engineering and design anymore, its starting to become like a tv show, and less like a sport where innovation and engineering can win you races.

Now the team that adapts to the rule changes fastest wins. There is no consistency in the rules, no logic and the changes are too drastic.

[Shan2nu]

As long as the rules apply to all the teams, i dunno what the problem is. It makes for a level playing field.

If Ferrari builds an inferior car with the same limitations as everyone else. That's not the FIA's problem, is it?

Shan2nu

[maximuzz]

I think it could be the current drivers. They have not shown much consistency. How about putting Schumacher back in the Ferrari seat eh? That would be fun to watch.

[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by maximuzz

I think it could be the current drivers. They have not shown much consistency. How about putting Schumacher back in the Ferrari seat eh? That would be fun to watch.

I don't think it has anything to do with the drivers. It is the cars; they are just not good enough. Schumacher is struggling now. Why? - the car. He did so well with Ferrari because of the superior car he was given.

[anachronix]

This news has got nothing to do with their performance this year or their performance in the last season. They were fighting for the Championship in the last race with Redbull and it was only 2009 where they struggled with the development because of the KERS. In 2008 they were the WCC and in 2007 they secured both the titles.

The article in TOI is misleading, the actual news bit is here!

Di Montezemolo still calling for third cars - GPUpdate.net

BTW, he wants the testing days back! Thats the whole point about all his ranting to the media about the FIA. The rule changes every year is not doing any good for the manufacturers with their budget and also restricting any useful innovation which could be carried on to road cars.

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by amrisharm

I have always been a fan of a break-away series where 100% of the revenue generated goes back into the sport and to the participating teams not like now where i think less than 35% is put back into the sport (am not sure so please do not quote me on this one). The remaining 65 goes into the profit books of banks, finance companies and bernie.

This is a very insightful article, contains all details about F1 ownership, it also mentions why a breakaway series is highly unlikely :
Formula One's road map for the future | Formula 1 | F1 features | ESPN F1

So for the president of ferrari to say that they will exit the sport can only mean that they are thinking of maybe forming a break-away series if things dont improve in f1.

Nothing new. This is being done for many years as a negotiation tactic to increase revenue percentage for teams.

Its not about Automotive engineering and design anymore, its starting to become like a tv show, and less like a sport where innovation and engineering can win you races.
Now the team that adapts to the rule changes fastest wins. There is no consistency in the rules, no logic and the changes are too drastic.

How else can a team adapt but in engineering and innovation?
Changes to rules have always been a part of F1, every year the FIA sits down to decide how they can slow the cars down by 2 seconds a lap and every year the team narrow that through development. This yr more so to improve overtaking.
This year is a brilliant example of how innovation can lead to good results.
Ferrari has been very conservative in design and they are behind RB & McLaren. Renault are doing extremely well for the budget they are on (they have a pay driver!)

[ajman28]

The level playing field is required to make the sport more interesting. Nobody likes it when the same team "always" win. Hence all the special rules from FIA. Also, F1 is a testing ground for many new technologies. Requirements of the technology is always dynamic and the need of the hour is efficiency, something which I personally feel Ferrari is not very good at. Most of the other teams require their efficient technologies to be tested in F1 and then later on, carry them over to the domestic cars. Ferrari does not require this and probably they still are not investing much for efficient engines.

So now they have to cry foul to get the rules bent so that it can accommodate their requirements. And mind you, Ferrari to FIA is very similar to how BCCI is to ICC!

[anachronix]

Originally Posted by Hatari

This year is a brilliant example of how innovation can lead to good results.

Can you explain more on the innovation thats keeping the other teams in front of Ferrari mate?

[amrisharm]

Originally Posted by Hatari

This is a very insightful article, contains all details about F1 ownership, it also mentions why a breakaway series is highly unlikely :
Formula One's road map for the future | Formula 1 | F1 features | ESPN F1


Nothing new. This is being done for many years as a negotiation tactic to increase revenue percentage for teams.

You are probably right, a break away series wont be happening anytime soon. But there is one massive difference between threats before and now, that is that this time Ferrari is making them where as before team ferrari always supported the FIA and the Formula 1 franchise.


How else can a team adapt but in engineering and innovation?
Changes to rules have always been a part of F1, every year the FIA sits down to decide how they can slow the cars down by 2 seconds a lap and every year the team narrow that through development. This yr more so to improve overtaking.
This year is a brilliant example of how innovation can lead to good results.
Ferrari has been very conservative in design and they are behind RB & McLaren. Renault are doing extremely well for the budget they are on (they have a pay driver!)

A standardized movable rear wing and standardized KERS system does not constitute as innovation to me. Maybe innovation in the part of the FIA but certainly not in the part of the teams. You have engines with rev limits, you have severely restricted aero rules, weight distribution rules, now even fuel consumption is standardized.

What ferrari is trying to point out is not specific to a particular season. I am sure you have been following f1 for a while now so think of how things were 10 years ago and how restrictive things are now. Thats what they mean.

There is a clear and precise trend happening is F1, As the rules get more tight and less and less room is left for engineering and aerodynamic innovation, the major auto manufacturers seem to be exiting at the same time. This is no mere coincidence, it is a fact that f1 is moving towards standardized cars and engines. So car companies that want to compete with one another to come up with innovations to beat each other on the race track and use that same innovative ideas to better their road going cars are opting out.