Comments on: Are B-Teams Good For Formula One? http://blogf1.co.uk/2007/01/30/are-b-teams-good-for-formula-one/ Your Regular Blog and Guide to Formula One Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:58:17 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Peter Ekelmans http://blogf1.co.uk/2007/01/30/are-b-teams-good-for-formula-one/comment-page-1/#comment-11155 Peter Ekelmans Wed, 23 May 2007 11:33:55 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/2007/01/30/are-b-teams-good-for-formula-one/#comment-11155 I think that the idea that every team has to design its own car is very costly and not very attractive from a competitive point of view. Why not look at American open wheel racing? Every make would have to apply with its frame to the FIA, and then make this frame available for the same price to all the teams. Then each team could go shopping and pick the car that fits the budget with the best performance, and allow them even to switch mid-season. If the FIA wouldn't change the rules every year, second-hand cars could have some value, too. I wouldn't mind if there would only be three or four different cars driving around, built by specialists like Dallara, Panoz or Lola, or by some of the current teams. It would bring prices down, allow teams to become competitive more easily, make teams focus on setup and maintenance. In the USA, the best teams have a bugdet of $20M. Even Minardi's budget at the turn of the century was bigger. The manufacturers will never agree with that however, and therefore, it will not happen, at least not in the forseeable future. I think that the idea that every team has to design its own car is very costly and not very attractive from a competitive point of view.
Why not look at American open wheel racing? Every make would have to apply with its frame to the FIA, and then make this frame available for the same price to all the teams. Then each team could go shopping and pick the car that fits the budget with the best performance, and allow them even to switch mid-season. If the FIA wouldn’t change the rules every year, second-hand cars could have some value, too.
I wouldn’t mind if there would only be three or four different cars driving around, built by specialists like Dallara, Panoz or Lola, or by some of the current teams. It would bring prices down, allow teams to become competitive more easily, make teams focus on setup and maintenance. In the USA, the best teams have a bugdet of $20M. Even Minardi’s budget at the turn of the century was bigger.

The manufacturers will never agree with that however, and therefore, it will not happen, at least not in the forseeable future.

]]> By: Oliver White http://blogf1.co.uk/2007/01/30/are-b-teams-good-for-formula-one/comment-page-1/#comment-2628 Oliver White Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:54:03 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/2007/01/30/are-b-teams-good-for-formula-one/#comment-2628 LoudHoward: I believe Williams added a fair bit to the racing in the late '90s and early '00s! Even your man Webber and his team mate Rosberg provided some good racing in the early part of last year. But speaking in terms of recent 'manufacturer' times, I do see your point. Chris: I agree it is nigh-on impossible for a new team to enter F1 and be competitive without getting a helping hand from another team. But that situation has only really occured (in my mind) because the FIA are not cutting the costs in more effective areas. Areas such as the paddock facilities. Do the teams really need million pound 'Gucci' motorhomes/offices just to run a motor around the track? LoudHoward: I believe Williams added a fair bit to the racing in the late ’90s and early ’00s! Even your man Webber and his team mate Rosberg provided some good racing in the early part of last year. But speaking in terms of recent ‘manufacturer’ times, I do see your point.

Chris: I agree it is nigh-on impossible for a new team to enter F1 and be competitive without getting a helping hand from another team. But that situation has only really occured (in my mind) because the FIA are not cutting the costs in more effective areas. Areas such as the paddock facilities. Do the teams really need million pound ‘Gucci’ motorhomes/offices just to run a motor around the track?

]]> By: Chris http://blogf1.co.uk/2007/01/30/are-b-teams-good-for-formula-one/comment-page-1/#comment-2623 Chris Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:35:59 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/2007/01/30/are-b-teams-good-for-formula-one/#comment-2623 I'm not really a fan of the B teams, but it's getting so much harder for independent teams to afford entry. I’m not really a fan of the B teams, but it’s getting so much harder for independent teams to afford entry.

]]> By: LoudHoward http://blogf1.co.uk/2007/01/30/are-b-teams-good-for-formula-one/comment-page-1/#comment-2620 LoudHoward Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:35:30 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/2007/01/30/are-b-teams-good-for-formula-one/#comment-2620 I've got nothing against "buddy" teams. As much as I love teams like Minardi and other independants they don't add much to the racing. Even if they're having the best battle in history we never see it on TV so for purely viewing reasons I think B-Teams are good, the tighter the field is the more chances of overtaking and interesting races especially in the mid-field. I’ve got nothing against “buddy” teams. As much as I love teams like Minardi and other independants they don’t add much to the racing. Even if they’re having the best battle in history we never see it on TV so for purely viewing reasons I think B-Teams are good, the tighter the field is the more chances of overtaking and interesting races especially in the mid-field.

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