New Teams in F1 for 2010??!

[roost89]

Sorry to throw that out of the blue with almost no arguments, but, what about Mazda?

They're one of the greatest manufacturer in the world IMO in terms of technology innovations, being as far as I know the only manufacturer having succeded to make rotative engines reliables.
They are in the electric products industry (batteries, capacitors etc), so they'd have twice as much advertisement considering the use of KERS.

Mazda haven't competed seriously in a World's scale event since their Le Mans victory in 1991. Time to consider F1?

I think they're going back into Le Mans. They've got the Furai Le Mans car. WHich is a monster of a thing and it looks very good too!
I'd like to see Mazda in F1 but would they be able to take the Rotary engines into F1 and get them to produce enough power?

[WhiteBlue]

Rotary in F1 certainly not for 2010. the engine manufacturers are planning new rules for 2013 and have told the FIA they cannot accomodate 2011. So 2010 for rotary engines is completely unrealistic at current structures of F1.

It would be nice if a post Mosley rethink would focus on a open formula based on fuel limits. but for that to happen the political mechanisms would have to shift big time. I don't believe it.

[donskar]

Doesn't Ford still own a good chunk of Mazda? If so, count them out.

[Carlos]

Ford has the controlling interest in Mazda owning about a third of it. The rest is held by Mazda and a Japanese bank. Ford first bought shares in about 1980 and have increased their holding over the years, I don't think we will see either involved in F1.

[donskar]

On the general topic of new F1 teams. . . A new F1.

Even (most) of us who love F1 will admit that its organization, actions, decisions, rules, economics and more often seem to alternate between Machiavellian and moronic.

In short, it is ripe for a competitor operated like a business rather than a Medieval Italian city state.

Enter IndyCar (please bear with this general term). The George empire is intelligent, strategic-thinking, and run like a business. So are MANY of the members of the IndyCar field. I think Roger Penske could "out-business" most if not all F1 owners. There are lots of VERY successful, very smart, very driven men in IndyCar (Menard, the Andrettis, Ganassi and more). Yes, there are equally astute and driven men in F1, but they are constantly wrapped in the throes of petty politics, arcane rules, protests, scandals, etc. The same, but LESS so in IndyCar.

IndyCar wants to go international. They are - in comparison to F1 - more energetic, more able to move quickly. They have a good stable of drivers from around the world. They even have viable female drivers. They have a bit of glamor. They have PLENTY of sponsorship able to support teams at the budget level that can bring success.

Assume first that IndyCar established itself for the next couple years. Now fast forward to 2010 . . .

WHAT IF George and company offer their product to promoters around the world. They could make a convincing case that they offer 60-80% of the F1 product at (say) 30-50% of the cost. Races could be held at "inferior" courses now judged not to have the palatial facilities demanded by Mosleystone like Brands Hatch. Constantly struggling courses (Silverstone, Hockenheim, and many more) MIGHT be happy to run ferocious open wheelers with international drivers accessible to the public -- all for a fraction currently demanded by the F1 circus. And LOTS of rather good North and South American tracks would be good candidate for this "new" F1.

So, while F1 turns its greedy eyes to Turkey, Qatar, India, China, and Abu Dahbi, and Berzerkistan, IndyCar can fill the vacuum they leave behind in Europe and North and South America.

Lots of blue sky in the preceding paragraphs, but lord knows we need some.

Typed quickly and furtively at work. I trust there are plenty out there who can flesh this out.

[Conceptual]

^^^

Didn't I say almost those same exact things on the other thread?

I hope that the IndyCar World Series becomes THE top level motorsport in the world... If only to make F1 wake the hell up and stomp out the nonsense that guides it.

Chris

[modbaraban]

One important point missing here. Is IndyCar a genuine competition of manufacturers? If it is like NASCAR is, with its different headlights and radiator grilles painted upon the same ugly bodyshell, then it won't count in Europe
Look at A1GP. It seems less popular in Europe that junior formulae. Don't have the audience stats tho.

[donskar]

Conceptual, sorry, did not copy your post - great minds thinking alike.

Today's FIA vote of confidence just moves us a step closer to a "new" f1.

[Conceptual]

Conceptual, sorry, did not copy your post - great minds thinking alike.

Today's FIA vote of confidence just moves us a step closer to a "new" f1.

It's not exact, but it sure sounded close!

And I don't think that we are closer to anything. My hope is the continued trend of migration away from the FIA, and into something that is based upon motor racing instead of a collection of international lawyers.

Chris

[donskar]

Conceptual wrote:

My hope is the continued trend of migration away from the FIA, and into something that is based upon motor racing instead of a collection of international lawyers.

We agree again. I only hope the Mosley debacle, while causing short-term damage, will be one step toward longer-term change. Any association led by a man like him is a disgrace and can not stand.

[Conceptual]

Conceptual wrote:

My hope is the continued trend of migration away from the FIA, and into something that is based upon motor racing instead of a collection of international lawyers.

We agree again. I only hope the Mosley debacle, while causing short-term damage, will be one step toward longer-term change. Any association led by a man like him is a disgrace and can not stand.

I dont really care WHAT organization is running things. I am just sick of everything deciding the rules BUT the racing!

Chris