I think they are looking into the wrong areas in F1 to make it better.

[N I Tram]

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
Reviving the old teams would (n most cases) be in name only. Lets have new teams that may invent their own new history, rather than live off the memories of a team that is not associated with them in real terms.

This is so true. Midland, Dubai and China have every potential to build heritages of their own, each of them offering somethign fresh and individual to the F1 circus. Like it or not, Colin Chapman and Ken Tyrrell are long gone, and they were greats in their own time, and don't deserve to have their histories dragged through the mud. Can you imagine how frustrated Sir Jack Brabham would've been at seeing the team's demise after their 1983 title?

[JohnSSC]

Now I know some of you are expecting me to "rant" about F1 costs using the "they bring trees to the races" example. I just may mention that, but I am re-thinking the whole scenario.

I read once that: "Expenditures will rise to meet Income."

What is being posited here are "rule changes" that will somehow level the playing field for the Jordan's, Minardows and Saubers of this world.

The rule changes will never accomplish that because Ferrari, Williams, McLaren, Toyota and Renault (at least as long as they stay in the game) will always have $200 - $400 million odd per year to spend each year. Minardow, Jordan, Sauber et al will never have that kind of annual capitalization.

If you limit testing, then the $$ will simply be diverted somewhere else within the team: wind tunnel, computer sims, more engineers, unobtanium valve stem caps, more trees or a technology center.

Changing the rules to a smaller engine/displacement formula actually gives an advantage to the bigger teams - they have the mega-bucks needed to quickly develop an engine that meets the new spec (perfectly suited to their own chassis!) that is reliable and exploits the rules to the nth degree.

It is not the cost of competing in F1, it is the $$$ that is flowing into F1 that is the problem. And how do you manage that? If Company X calls Ron Dennis up and says: "We want to have our name on your car too, can we give you $100 million?" what is Ron going to do? Give them Paul Stoddart's number? No way!

F1, my young friends has become big business, the main purpose of this (or any) business is to enhance revenue.

[DougK]

Johnssc, I agree with you in the main!

There will always be teams willing (or able to) spend more than others. It happens at all levels of Motorsport. Even in clupsports there is always one member or more of a club that is willing to spend anything to win!

F1 is not a sport, its not abouit fair and equal competition - its simply a business where people with big egos want to prove themselves and win!

The only way things can be equal is to somehow cap the spending to a certain level (but how???) or give them all the same kit!

Occasionally the minnows will win or produce something that moves them closer, but not very often!

[DKGandBH]

Originally posted by JohnSSC
"Expenditures will rise to meet Income."

It is not the cost of competing in F1, it is the $$$ that is flowing into F1 that is the problem. And how do you manage that? If Company X calls Ron Dennis up and says: "We want to have our name on your car too, can we give you $100 million?" what is Ron going to do? Give them Paul Stoddart's number? No way!

F1, my young friends has become big business, the main purpose of this (or any) business is to enhance revenue.

I agree with most of your points...

Companies who ring Ron Dennis, would have done their homework. They know what their budget is, they would have a rough idea how big advertising space costs on each car, they would know how much exposure each team gets (roughly). Well at least they should know these details.

They would then draw up a list of possible contacts and start at the top...

However, in the real world, it is up to the teams to find their sponsors, not the other way round.

F1 is big (seriously) business, as is all popular sport these days. You just can't help human nature.

Seing how Williams developed through the years reminds me how much the sport has lost. You will never again, get an essentially self funded team in the race...

Minardi came close the first year of Stoddart, but that was a far cry from selling cars/car parts to fund your team.

David.