[Team] Ferrari to hold board meeting to discuss future in F1

[Gingers4Justice]

Dunno if this has been mentioned, but Montezemolo is starting the Le Mans 24 Hours, and Deminocali is also going to be there. Is this Ferrari looking into other possibilites?

Also, the IRC has been talking about anothing manufacturer entering

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Dunno if this has been mentioned, but Montezemolo is starting the Le Mans 24 Hours, and Deminocali is also going to be there. Is this Ferrari looking into other possibilites?

Also, the IRC has been talking about anothing manufacturer entering

I heard about Deminocali at Le Mans but I didn't know about another manufacturer entering the IRC, though there has been talk of another engine manufacturer in the IRC. I take it you did mean another and not anothing manufacturer; it does sound rather good?

[johntt]

There is a very interesting article Dieter Rencken on Autosport.com: http://www.autosport.com/features/article.php/id/2162
(subscription only)

According to Rencken all the manufacturers need do is buy A1GP and get a ready made infastructure and some decent tracks (and before anyone says it, they would NOT be using A1GP cars )

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I heard about Deminocali at Le Mans but I didn't know about another manufacturer entering the IRC, though there has been talk of another engine manufacturer in the IRC. I take it you did mean another and not anothing manufacturer; it does sound rather good?

Yeh, I meant another. But I was joking. I can't see Ferrari involve in the international Rallying scene!

But, if they do withdraw from F1, I can't see them not being involved in motorsport - and, really, the only other option they would have would be Le Mans. Unless and engine supply in IndyCar?

[bjohnsonsmith]

I reckon you are right about Le Mans as it would mean they could also compete in ALMS and they need that North American market. Though I quite like the rallying idea. Paris to Dakkar with Kimi behind the wheel, left foot breaking; those Finns have a great rallying heritage. Heiki could join him as he seems all washed up with McLaren.

[Gingers4Justice]

This may interest you:

From AUTOSPORT
In recent months, the Japanese manufacturer [Toyota] has been linked with a return to Le Mans – having last raced there in 1999. The company is believed to feel it has unfinished business at the French classic, having failed to win with its GT-One car.

Coincidentally, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo is to be the official starter at this year's Le Mans race amid suggestions he too could be seeing sportscars as the future for his team's racing programme.

Howett said: "I believe there are many other activities that we could undertake. We are a motorsport team and I think we are not against cost saving, we are not necessarily against budget cap but it depends how it is administered."

As a Le Mans fan, I like the sound of that - as a motorsport fan, I fear for its general health.

[bjohnsonsmith]

A Toyota/Ferrari hook up?

[Gingers4Justice]

No, I think you've miss interpreted it. Basically, both are looking into LMP racing. Ferrari already have a sportscar project and with Nissan now involved in sportscars, Toyota have an interest.

[bjohnsonsmith]

I did, thanks. You know what get's me about the whole F1 budget business is that for the 2009 season the car had to have a new rear wing, a new front wing and a new engine. That in itself must cost loads and these changes were at the behest of the FIA and now they want to impose a budget cap after they have called for these changes; they should have left the cars as they were and if was a matter of reducing speed, fit the cars wit a rev limiter.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I did, thanks. You know what get's me about the whole F1 budget business is that for the 2009 season the car had to have a new rear wing, a new front wing and a new engine. That in itself must cost loads and these changes were at the behest of the FIA and now they want to impose a budget cap after they have called for these changes; they should have left the cars as they were and if was a matter of reducing speed, fit the cars wit a rev limiter.

Basically, the FIA is in a complete mess. Its no wonder that team are interested in sportscars - the ACO, Le Mans' organisers, are far more competent, listen to manufacturers and fans, while allowing technical diversity and the use of different technoligies. F1 needs to take a leaf out of the ACO's book if they're going to keep the manufacturers in it.

[bjohnsonsmith]

I agree it is a mess and Ecclestone and Mosely, particularly Ecclestone with his cosntant tinkering is largely to blame. F1 should look at what's happened with the IRL, bad TV coverage low spectator attendance because Tony George wanted to cut costs and wanted more control but it is lack lustre; some great drivers and tracks but nothing innovative, just Dallaras. However NASCAR, which is just ovals is doing great. They have some innovation in that they've got a mix of manufacturers that the average Joe can relate to as he either owns a Chevy, a Ford or a Dodge, even a Toyota.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I agree it is a mess and Ecclestone and Mosely, particularly with his cosntant tinkering is largely to blame. F1 shouls look at what's happened with the IRL, bad TV coverage low spectator attendance. I know Tony George wanted to cut costs and wanted more control but it is lack lustre; some great drivers and tracks but nothing innovative. However NASCAR, which is just ovals is doing great. They have some innovation in that they've got a mix of manufacturers that the average Joe can relate to as he either owns a Chevy, a Ford or a Dodge.

Well, NASCAR does do one road course doesn't it? I've never understood NASCAR on road circuits, kind of defeats the whole object...

With NASCAR though, it is easier - its just one country, their target market is the average Joe.

Formula One was at its best when it knew what it was aimed at - the middle class, western/central European.

However, now its gunning from everywhere from Communist China to Islamic Abhou Dhabi - its not sure of its identity. It needs to sort it out, and quickly.

[Bononi]

Originally Posted by Flyin Ryan

[IMG]Probably not in Britain because that's how the British are, but elsewhere in the world.

Not really. There's a photocopy shop somewhere in England where the owners/employees are Ferrari die-hard fans...

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Formula One was at its best when it knew what it was aimed at - the middle class, western/central European.

However, now its gunning from everywhere from Communist China to Islamic Abhou Dhabi - its not sure of its identity. It needs to sort it out, and quickly.

You tell me. You have a GP in China or Abu Dhabi or Turkey in 2009, countries with no GP/F1 heritage and no French GP; it all started in France and it must cost the teams a lot to travel to these events; so much for a budget cap. Just seems like a money making excercise and the control of that excercise, which was your argument in the first place. Just a shame Ecclsetone and Mosely don't see it.

[johntt]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Well, NASCAR does do one road course doesn't it? I've never understood NASCAR on road circuits, kind of defeats the whole object...

Way OT here: Nascar Sprint Cup does two road courses per year, Sears Point and Watkins Glen, while the Nationwide Series does Watkins Glen and Montreal.

There is a point to them because:

A) You are able to see which of the drivers there are the most talented and it proves that the top Nacsar drivers are capable of turning right. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart both have an all-oval background yet have doen very well on the road courses.

B) Because stock cars are so poorly designed for road courses they are very entertaining to watch. The way the whole field fans out on a restart at the Glen....

[bjohnsonsmith]

You mean left turning, hence Crapwaggons but yes that makes sense. Never been a big NASCAR fan but slowly getting into it, thanks for the low down.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

You tell me. You have a GP in China or Abu Dhabi or Turkey in 2009, countries with no GP/F1 heritage and no French GP; it all started in France and it must cost the teams a lot to travel to these events; so much for a budget cap. Just seems like a money making excercise and the control of that excercise, which was your argument in the first place. Just a shame Ecclsetone and Mosely don't see it.

Well, the only reason why its going to these countries is that they are government-funded projects that suit Bernie's wallet just fine. There will need to be a revolution in the FIA before things reverse - until then, Americans are just going to get into NASCAR even more, and the Europeans will either go for Touring Cars or Sportscars or lose interest completely. NASCAR must be rubbing their hands with glee at the moment, and just think what it will be like post recession!

[bjohnsonsmith]

I get what your saying and meanwhile ,post recession, Tony George will either have killed of the IRL in 2013 and reinvented C.A.R.T., with Ferrari as a constructor and engine supplier. You never know? Lol.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Teretonga

The teams do not want a budget cap.

Actually,they do,but just like everything else in F1 (except for the cars) they want it to happen very slowly.

What they don't want is a two-tier Formula,because that would mean that some teams wouldn't know what to do with all that spare cash that they don't have.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I get what your saying and meanwhile ,post recession, Tony George will either have killed of the IRL in 2013 and reinvented C.A.R.T., with Ferrari as a constructor and engine supplier. You never know? Lol.

With Toyota KERS!

I know I'll get shot at for suggesting this, but wouldn't it be great for F1 to merge with the IRL? So then the WC would includ the Indy 500 again! And there could be another US GP at the Glen etc.

[JeremySmith]

Well excellent, I am delighted that Ferrari, Red Bull, Toyota, and quite possibly BMW are telling the FIA to sod right off with their stupid budget cap..

McLaren of course will stay out of this one at the moment for obvious reasons..

By the way Mr Mosley and friends, could we please get rid of this stupid push to pass complete waste of money nonsense, after all we would like to save money, dont you know...

[david5]

IMHO a World Championship won without the presence of Ferrari in the field would be a hollow one. I was a follower of the team pre TGF era & still have a soft spot for them. But they are a very large chunk of the mystic of F1.

Ask a non motorsport person to name an F1 team, who do they say.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

With Toyota KERS!

I know I'll get shot at for suggesting this, but wouldn't it be great for F1 to merge with the IRL? So then the WC would includ the Indy 500 again! And there could be another US GP at the Glen etc.

Brilliant. What about chassis? Re-animating Adrian Reynard?

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by david5

IMHO a World Championship won without the presence of Ferrari in the field would be a hollow one. I was a follower of the team pre TGF era & still have a soft spot for them. But they are a very large chunk of the mystic of F1.

Ask a non motorsport person to name an F1 team, who do they say.

Footwork-Zytek? Ascari-Judd? Ensign? Forti? Zakspeed? Those are the 4 that immediately spring to mind.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Brilliant. What about chassis? Re-animating Adrian Reynard?

Four wheel drive cars with no aerodynamics and really skinny tires. And 1005hp+. You and I are making a formula that the manufacturers cant refuse! We have made history!