Dallara F1 team for 2005 (rumour)

[sonic]

Now this is interesting.

autosport.com reporting that chassis making legends Dallara are planning an entry for 2006 but may buy Jaguar for a 2005 Entry.

Backers from Russia, etc.

I seem to recall their last foray into F1 was a bit Minardi-esque but with some proper backing - and if their cars in lower formulae are anything to go by - they could be a serious team.

[climb]

dallara's last foray was manufacturing a car on behalf of Honda, in late 90's, when the japanese constructor planned to like Toyota would have done some years later.
That car was very good and topped some test times alongside current teams, but then the project was abandoned, mainly because of Harvey Postletwhite's sudden death, who convinced Honda to keep providing engines.

About this possibility. honestly I think that AFAN entering and getting the top is almost impossible (see jag, toyota etc).
Those times are gone.
Whoever the entrant they'll have to work hard just to be ahead of Jordan IMO.

[BootsOntheSide]

Climb, I think sonic was referring to the last time they built a car to race - the Scuderia Italia cars of the early 90s - which were actually much mroe successful than the team's Lola-built car in 1993. In any case, Harvey Postlethwaite's death was shortly after the team decided to pull the plug - essentially he'd used up all his efforts and commitment in trying to persuade them to continue with the project.

One way or another, it's imperative that there are 3 or 4 private teams on the grid next year. It's probably time some sort of B class was introduced, either for non-works teams or for year-old or off-the-shelf chassis.

[Kicking-back]

Lets hope this happens - so we have 20 cars on the grid from 10 teams in 2005.

I'm all in favour of customer cars being available from 2006 - but they should just race for overall plaudits, rather than a class B as Boots suggests.

[dcp2685]

I like the B-Class idea personally. It would give it a lemans type feel a bit. Definately an interesting idea but i think we'd need to have more than 20 cars to make it work and went back to the old points scoring system for each class.

[climb]

Originally posted by BootsOntheSide
Climb, I think sonic was referring to the last time they built a car to race - the Scuderia Italia cars of the early 90s - which were actually much mroe successful than the team's Lola-built car in 1993....

If I'm not wrong (stats pundits like esorniloc could help me) Dallara started making chassis some year before, and manya time got the points; they must have taken a podium, also.
Something better than Minardi then (with all the respect for Minardi)

[ghinzani]

Perhaps they could re-introduce the Jim Clark cup like they ran for Atmo 3.5ltr F1 cars in 1987?

[Redlake27]

Dallara had a string of good cars from 88 to 91. Caffi and DeCesaris were often regular points scorers and top ten qualifiers. They had a couple of podiums too.

[Kicking-back]

The problem with a "B" class is that the cars would be running to the same rules - it would just be a false situation.

One of the appeals of top class single seater racing is that everyone's running for the same prize.

The class system has its benefits, but these are well showcased in sportscar racing.

[mark_l]

Does the rule still exist that the entrant of the car must be the manufacturer of the car?

[BootsOntheSide]

I was certainly thinking in terms of old cars being eligible for the main points. Having a B class championship would be an extra honour for those drivers and teams to race for, as a way of attrracting attention to them, for the sake of gaining sponsorship.

Mark, when was that rule added? As recently as 10 years ago teams ran cars built by outside suppliers.

[Kicking-back]

Originally posted by mark_l
Does the rule still exist that the entrant of the car must be the manufacturer of the car?

I don't think that's the rule.

I think it's that each team must run a unique car.


For example Larrousse ran Lola chassis for a few years before making their own.

[climb]

Originally posted by mark_l
Does the rule still exist that the entrant of the car must be the manufacturer of the car?

Then only Ferrari Renault, Jag and Toyota would be allowed to race

[Kicking-back]

Why?

McLaren, Williams, Jordan, Minardi, BAR and Sauber all manufacture their own chassis.

[Logrence]

Originally posted by climb
Then only Ferrari Renault, Jag and Toyota would be allowed to race

Well no, Minardi still build their own F1 car, they're just not a car manufacturer.

Personally I think they should get rid of Minardi and Jordan quick - I'd quite like to see 3 car teams fighting it out. Nothing wrong with a field of 24 competitive cars...

[Kicking-back]

Get rid of Minardi and Jordan?

Its teams like that we need to safeguard, to ensure F1 has a future if and when manufacturers get fed up.

[Logrence]

Still say get rid of them. Leeches on what could otherwise be a more competitive, more exciting sport.

It's like some having some old nag tool around at the back of the track at Ascot, just in case all the other horses decided they'd rather be sausages in France.

There will always been some other sucker to buy up the teams when the big boys move on to another sandpit.

[Kicking-back]

Leeches?

I don't really understand that.

How would you propose "getting rid" of them?

[climb]

Originally posted by Kicking-back
Why?

McLaren, Williams, Jordan, Minardi, BAR and Sauber all manufacture their own chassis.

Of course when I talk about a "car" I mean a complete car not barely the chassis.

Unless you think the engine's a secondary optional....

Macs, Williams, etc don't make their own engine.

[sonic]

Originally posted by Kicking-back
Leeches?

I don't really understand that.

How would you propose "getting rid" of them?

burn them off with a lighter.

[Kicking-back]

Well, they already tried that in the pit lane at Monza....

[BootsOntheSide]

How does less teams equal more competition? All that 3 car teams would eman is another Ferrari to beat, following 'team orders'. Jordan and Minardi have given F1 some of its greatest moments, and are a link to the days when the sport had a soul and passion of its own, rather than just being seen as a marketing tool.

[raul_iulian]

That will be so nice... But without a engine manufacturer to back them up, well i don't think that will ever happend!

[climb]

Back to topic, the main italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, is expected to host an interview to the entrant team owner; as soon as I get that feature, I'll refer you.

[billiaml]

I read somewhere that there's supposed to be some kind of an announcement @ Japan this weekend. Hopefully, that will put an end to this speculation. Then we can get on to speculating about who's going to design the chassis, who's going to drive, where they'll end up in the grid ... important stuff...