FIA seeking more cost cuts.

[duke_toaster]

James Allen's found a job.

Article on Autosport.

The FIA have a good idea in capping the costs of suspension, brakes and similar. Price caps are better than standard parts.

It appears the FIA want to keep the technical awe, hopefully that's new engine rules.

[Pingguest]

Cost reductions are an illusion. As shown in the past any attempt will fail and have devastating consequences on the racing.

[Pingguest]

Its funny that Mosley talks about €50 million operating costs per season in a sport where teams can get a $100 million fine!

[duke_toaster]

You can't completely limit costs, but I think there are some aspects that can be changed - the minimum cost for independant teams and the point at which spending becomes rather pointless.

The first needs to go down to keep privateer teams, and capping component costs sounds sensible, although I'd consider going further and adding a customer chassis price cap. The second is a manufacturer issue, however the rules must allow the manufacturers to get a good cost/benefit ratio, I think allowing manufacturers to allow their gimmick technologies by using a fuel formula could work (with the option for private teams to use one or two approved low cost non-fuel formula engines with similar power).

[Pingguest]

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

You can't completely limit costs, but I think there are some aspects that can be changed - the minimum cost for independant teams and the point at which spending becomes rather pointless.

Yeah, that's why I'm in favour of the customer chassis and allowing teams to have only one car. For teams like Force India this could radically reduce their costs.

The first needs to go down to keep privateer teams, and capping component costs sounds sensible, although I'd consider going further and adding a customer chassis price cap. The second is a manufacturer issue, however the rules must allow the manufacturers to get a good cost/benefit ratio, I think allowing manufacturers to allow their gimmick technologies by using a fuel formula could work (with the option for private teams to use one or two approved low cost non-fuel formula engines with similar power).

A price cap isn't going to reduce costs overal, but just to reduce the privateers' budget at the expense of the big manufactures. But I guess the manufactures are mostly hit by the current economic meltdown.

The best thing the motorsports should do is to create the right conditions for manufactures to stay or step in shortly after the economic downturn is over. I think the FIA should start negotiations with the ACO about the same set of (engine) rules for Formula 1 and LMP1 as soon as possible.

In this case I'd propose free engine regulations, energy flow limit and different biofuels. Allow team to use biodiesel, biogasoline, biogasoline and biobuthanol or any other eco-friendly fuel and make them look for the most efficient, eco-friendly solution.

[duke_toaster]

How come it's always us that do this sort of thread

Originally Posted by Pingguest

A price cap isn't going to reduce costs overal, but just to reduce the privateers' budget at the expense of the big manufactures. But I guess the manufactures are mostly hit by the current economic meltdown.

It depends if the rules are changed too. I'd go for steel suspension parts only bearing in mind that carbonfibre is much to expensive for normal road cars and will be so for the forseeable future.

The best thing the motorsports should do is to create the right conditions for manufactures to stay or step in shortly after the economic downturn is over. I think the FIA should start negotiations with the ACO about the same set of (engine) rules for Formula 1 and LMP1 as soon as possible.

I'd add agree with that, with the addition of IndyCar. ~750HP for F1, ~700hp for LMP1, ~600 for Indy.

In this case I'd propose free engine regulations, energy flow limit and different biofuels. Allow team to use biodiesel, biogasoline, biogasoline and biobuthanol or any other eco-friendly fuel and make them look for the most efficient, eco-friendly solution.

I'd go for production inspired (not based on a stock block, but with limited similarities to a production engine) engine running on pump fuel (petrol, gasohol, LPG or diesel) and a fuel limit intended to keep power at around 750hp. KERS is a separate issue.

Privateer teams should have the option of running a lower cost non-fuel formula engine of similar performance if needed.

[bodgit]

Does anyone else think that these cost-cutting measures are going to go too far and end up leaving the bigger team such as Mclaren under funded

[duke_toaster]

No, because it will reduce expenditure but not affect income. The only cost cutting measures that would cut income are things like cutting the races which would reduce the value of sponsorship.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by bodgit

Does anyone else think that these cost-cutting measures are going to go too far and end up leaving the bigger team such as Mclaren under funded

In a word no...

[Born Racer]

Time for some kind of budget cap if they want this to work. Teams will spend what they can and who can blame them? F1 teams are not known for their altruism to the greater course.

Is it really so difficult to police?

[ECW Dan Selby]

I spose yes, in the sense that these manufacturors can easilly communicate with other companies and form a deal with them to develop certain parts/concepts.

Selby

[duke_toaster]

Yes, it would be difficult to police. Let's say Renault were to subcontract out development of (say) engines to Sodemo. They would have to look at Sodemo's ownership and their accounts too. And what if Toyota were to get TRD to do parts to get around the cap.

The only capping type system that could work would be a supply price cap, which would help customer users only. One option would be to start banning carbonfibre from more parts, suspension wishbones sounds sensible. GRP wings perhaps?

[Pingguest]

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

How come it's always us that do this sort of thread

I was about to say the same.

I'd add agree with that, with the addition of IndyCar. ~750HP for F1, ~700hp for LMP1, ~600 for Indy.

Nah, it will be too difficult to find a good compromis with the IRL. The Americans never really liked radical innovations. It should be mentioned too that the US-based and European-based racing series are build upon completely different principles.

I don't understand why Formula 1 should have more engine power than LMP1. Simply allow exactly the same engines for both series. Only the characteristics of the races (endurance vs. sprint) should make a difference.

I'd go for production inspired (not based on a stock block, but with limited similarities to a production engine) engine running on pump fuel (petrol, gasohol, LPG or diesel) and a fuel limit intended to keep power at around 750hp.

Formula 1 should be a prototype series, at least for the engines. Due to the introduction of "production inspired" engines this may not be the case really. It could be that hybrid gas turbines running on biodiesel have the future. But with "production inspired" engines the manufactures won't have the possibility to try them, as gas turbines are currently not used for road cars.

I think the FIA should only allow the latest generation of biofuels. The current fossil fuels don't have the future, so Formula 1 should stop using them. I'm not necessarily against introducing a fuel formula (quite the opposite) but it is unpractical for keeping the qualifying performances under control. That's why I'd choose for an energy flow limit.

Privateer teams should have the option of running a lower cost non-fuel formula engine of similar performance if needed.

That's impossible. The manufactures will continue to develop and sooner or later the 'spec' engine won't be competitative unless it have further development too. But that would certainly increase costs for the privateers.