Sorry about this, it just wouldn't stop going this one - must be a little pent up here
Just wondering, should we be celebrating?
When were BMW at their best in F1? When their engine was stuck in a Williams
Same with Mercedes and a host of other de-facto parts suppliers.
When was F1 most exciting? When quality parts were supplied by professional suppliers to specialist, genius teams who didn't have to answer to the motor trade, and whose budget restrictions meant their development was based on competitor's prior year cars and specific focus.
Sure F1 benefits from the technical advances made by these teams when they arrive with their wallets and egos, but that is what has levelled the field at making everyone able to do the same thing. The series has to be better with their absence as long as the infrastructure around it hasn't been too marred as a result of their presence.
There's the rub, for the smaller focused F1 team the 18/19 race calendar with globe trotting, night races, even the remote testing forced by current regulations will cost too much to support. Bernie in particular has pushed the series to the point where the commercial revenues and global commitment require teams to have a huge budget to support their entry. The FIA and Bernie need to look to themselves as to how they have changed the shape of the series as a result of the scale of the budgets instead of just slapping on restrictions to make the teams themselves change. How many teams could take part in the current style of series with a minor budget?
Personally I believe that if the FIA and Bernie really want a consistent and level playing field (never would happen, but theory's lovely) then F1 should be restricted to a 15/16 race series, local testing would be allowed and commercial revenues would be split evenly.
To control big budget teams, manufacturer entries would require a fee (or materially higher fee than independents), this should include those teams where a substantial portion of their budget was manufacturer sourced. Commercial revenues should be split evenly between the teams, with an agreed portion going to material component suppliers. A five year plan of forecasted revenues should be provided by the commercial rights holder and a three year plan of participants and schedules provided by the governing body. Manufacturer fees should be added to the commercial rights revenues thus smoothing the impact of their "frictional" participation. Oh, and no changes to specification regulations mid-season.
Naturally the exception to the "evil" manufacturers seem to have been Lotus and Ferrari (yes, Ferrari, they may have big budgets, but they have committed to the sport despite massive dry periods). I guess that's because F1 is a little more in line with their products than with the likes of Jaguar! I bought my first BMW in no small part as a result of BMW being the Williams engine, but the BMW team has really not encouraged me in the same way, if I could afford a Ferrari - it would.
Unfortunately I think Bernie and the FIA are shrewd enough to know that controversy generates interest and interest creates longevity, and so will want ongoing battles - bit like Eastenders for petrol heads! Bit of a bummer for those of us who support the racing more than the drivers, teams or controversy, coupled with the fact that their style of governance shows no loyalty to the participants that helped them to where they are.
Right, that's my piece
