Five car manufacturers in F1

[storyline]

Teams and manufacturers remain committed to improving the sport for spectators and other key stakeholders Long-term best interests of the sport come before a short-term compromise iSe to advance negotiations with key parties

27 September 2005 – Today, a meeting between five major car manufacturers (BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Honda, Renault, Toyota) and seven teams (BAR, McLaren, Minardi, Renault, Sauber, Toyota, Williams) who currently participate in Formula One took place close to Munich.

The five manufacturers and their teams entered into a binding agreement to race together only in a series which satisfies the fundamental principles of a clear and equitable World Championship. All teams not party to this agreement are encouraged to participate in a constructive process to form the premier motor sport series.

Whilst the group remains open and willing to discuss with the current commercial rights holder and the FIA on the future of Grand Prix motor racing beyond 2007, the current uncertainty leaves them with no option other than to progress preparatory work for the New Series.

Although the team principals and manufacturers agreed that some progress was made in the recent meetings, they considered it was not sufficient to delay the preparations for the New Series.

As a result, International Sports & Entertainment AG (iSe), the company that was appointed October 2004 as an operating partner for the alliance of teams and manufacturers, will advance strategic and commercial negotiations with key parties

[SpawnyWhippet]

Missing; a certain red team from this meeting... Ferrari will look great in 2007, it will be Indianapolis 2005 all over again for the whole season, just Ferrari, Midland and Red Bull. MS will have a chance to be 8x WDC after all!

Makes you wonder how Minardi could take part in the meeting without Red Bull though?

[storyline]

Haven't Ferrari already signed with Sir Bernie though? They have never been part of this group AFAIK

[Adam43]

Is there a link or source for the article?

[Marbot]

Yes there is/are .Here

[Stephen Green]

Once Red Bull have full ownership of Minardi they are expected to withdraw from the agreement and fall into line with Ferarri etc to support Bernie.

[Marbot]

So you are left with the 5 manufacturers and Williams,who for 2007 will have Toyota engines.So it's GPMA 6,FIA-FOM-Ferrari engined cars 4.And with only Williams ever likely to move it's pretty much stalemate.

Where's K-b to tell us everything will be alright.

[chillibowl]

i wonder if there are enough tifosi out there in the world to support an all ferrari championship?

[Gt_R]

It's just another attempt to put pressure on Bernie to cough up a good deal.

As A1 GP has shown to any critics/sceptics, starting a full series isn't that difficult. And i must admit that with 5 manufacturers, they are looking strong, and could easily come up with the championship of cars as much as A1 is a championship of countries.

But interestingly, a handful of people who support the manufacturers are actually people who felt sorry for the demise of privateer teams, disapprove the money-race, want to see more privateers, etc...

The fundamental issue is going to remain. Manufacturers won't spend billions just to come up 8-9, and with 5 manufacturer teams, definitely one would play the role.

Would F1 die without the manufacturers? Probably they will take a big hit. But there's no garantee that the best drivers would head to the manufacturers unless it's money talking.

We'd have Ferrari and 2 Red Bull teams in F1. Similarly, Williams - no longer being a manufacturer backed team - could make a quick switch. And given the right opportunites, there would be many new teams who could enter, or even upgrade from a lower series into F1. F1 was once made up of the likes of Frank Williams, Bruce Mclaren, Peter Saubers, G. Minardis... what is stopping others? - the manufacturers.

So who can say that definitely privateers would head the manufacturers way?

And without manufacturers, we forgot that there are a handful of quality specialist out there who can make fast racing cars too. Cosworth can supply customer engines, others can supply chassis.

F1 may take a couple of lean years to re-organise, but i don't think it'd die.

[SpawnyWhippet]

Maybe the way forward would be for the FIA to drop the 'Teams must design & manufacture their own chassis' regulation. This could open the floodgates for Lola, Dallara etc to manufacture customer chassis with engine kits and allow a team to enter F1 without hideous startup costs.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Andydickens

Maybe the way forward would be for the FIA to drop the 'Teams must design & manufacture their own chassis' regulation.

This has already been proposed for 2008.Bottom of page,but read it all.

[Marbot]

Williams are saying that they are not yet a GPMA member!

Also there are rumours that BE has offered Williams $30 million to sign up to concorde agreement.link

[Kicking-back]

Originally Posted by martyn bott

Where's K-b to tell us everything will be alright.

Everything will be alright

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Everything will be alright

Welcome back K-b.

[Marbot]

Max does seem to be determined to cut costs however,whereas the manufacturers don't.http://www.fia.com/mediacentre/Press...130905-01.html

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by martyn bott

Max does seem to be determined to cut costs

Of course he does, he wants to be re-elected

[Hein]

Originally Posted by Mr V

Of course he does, he wants to be re-elected

Let's hope that does'nt happen.

[Marbot]

Have they reached the point of no return.http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpa...s_art_id=26123

[Marbot]

"Stoddy" seems to think so.http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=100479