F1 - 2017

It looks like F1 leadership is in for an interesting time.  I just wish they would develop an app ( on Apple TV would be ideal) or website, where I could pay to watch/stream the 20 races ( I don't have a TV subscription anymore).  In other news, the Manor situation doesn't look so good. 

It would appear the running of F1 will be split with Ross Brawn in charge of the "sporting and technical" side with a former ESPN executive, Sean Bratches, running the commercial side.  Will be interesting how those two sides react to each other - hopefully though things like decisions on tyres will be made purely on technical grounds rather than (as it appears happened) who pays more money into the F1 "pot".

Liberty have spoke about securing the "classic" races; presumably at a more reasonable cost to the tracks; while also expanding in USA but perhaps moving away from the Far East expansion we have seen in recent years.

An interesting interview here with Carey http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/38731760

I have also heard talk of a New York street race which would be interesting, the NASCAR runs a Toronto street race, so that I think could be more feasible.  Would be good to have something on the West coast though, Vancouver, Seattle or San Francisco.

I have high hopes for Liberty. They're saying the right things, hiring first rate people, and showing concern for the historical and fan valued European venues. John Malone, the money behind Liberty is a first rate businessman. Malone was one of the pioneers of cable tv here in the US and widely admired..............not an easy thing for a billionaire businessman.

I happen to know someone in a leading German F1 team who told me there was much speculation about Ron Dennis taking on Manor. And in case he did, McLaren have decided to continue calling their cars MP-4 xx just to wind him up...

Guy007 posted:

An interesting interview here with Carey http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/38731760

I have also heard talk of a New York street race which would be interesting, the NASCAR runs a Toronto street race, so that I think could be more feasible.  Would be good to have something on the West coast though, Vancouver, Seattle or San Francisco.

Don't you mean Indycar, Guy?

Carey did say that social media and other modern methods were being looked at.

It seems they are looking to try and equalise and even simplify the cars, even talk of removing DRS. A more equitable share of the revenues, the quicker Ferarri lose some/all of their "historical" payments the better IMO. It would prompt they annual Ferarri leaving F1 statement of course. 

Other things being talked about, are more offerings within longer race meetings, not sure how that would work unless you could fit in 21 races 2 weeks apart.

Yes apologies BIGH47, Indycar.  They ran the Nascar Nationwide on the Montreal F1 track, saw it a few years back in the 'F1 off year'.

I'm sure they will try a few things out over this year and get input from the teams and drivers pre season start.  Anything to give more money to the smaller teams would be good too. 

FIA has modified penalty regs for 2017 season.        

Charlie Whiting will still report incidents to the stewards as before,  but for 2017 "It shall be at the discretion of the stewards to decide if any driver involved in an incident should be penalised,” (article 38.2)     The idea is drivers will only be penalised if it is absolutely clear that they are at fault. It's hoped that this will encourage drivers to attempt more overtaking moves without the fear that they may be punished for a minor contact.

In other reg changes, drivers who are unable to serve a time, stop-go or drive-through during a race due to retirement will get a grid penalty at the next event.

Mike-B posted:

The jobs are retained until the end of january.  That means one week longer than planned to secure an investor.

Announced earlier today,  Manor Racing have gone bust.   The operating company has been in administration since 6 Jan & FRP Advisory has been unable to find a buyer.  The staff were sent home & told they will be made redundant by the close of business on Tuesday after the payment of January salaries.

Sad news. I hope other teams can accommodate some of the staff and that Liberty sort out the sharing of TV and sponsorship deals more evenly thus helping smaller teams survive the dog-eat-dog world of F1. 

If Ferrari decide to throw a tantrum, as usual,and leave the sport altogether, good riddance!

Almost certain that Ferrari will do just that if Liberty bring some form of equalisation.

F1 is bigger than Ferrari and they need to be told that.

Tony2011 posted:

..................  thus helping smaller teams survive the dog-eat-dog world of F1.     If Ferrari decide to throw a tantrum, as usual,and leave the sport altogether, good riddance!

Just so,  I was chatting with some Williams guys last evening & they were very damming of the way F1 divides out the money saying that contributed to the demise of Manor.  It was Ferrari throwing tantrums claiming they need more money than smaller teams & apart from the other big teams going along with it,   they squarely blame Berie for pushing it through  (hints of brown envelopes). 

Local Oxford news re Manor Racing:     Anneliese Dodds MEP has called for a European Commission investigation into the FIA and F1 following Manor's collapse.   She said: "The collapse of Manor Racing could be the end of seven turbulent years for a team that brought highly skilled jobs to Oxfordshire. I am very concerned that this follows other job losses in small teams.    Formula One Group, its owners and the FIA as a regulator really need to be investigated after this collapse.   The unfair way in which prize money is allocated in the sport, permanently favouring the largest teams regardless of their finishing position, has seen many teams struggle to survive.  The Commission must investigate the complaints it received last year from two F1 teams related to anti-competitive practices ............. "

Mike-B posted:

The unfair way in which prize money is allocated in the sport, permanently favouring the largest teams regardless of their finishing position, has seen many teams struggle to survive.  The Commission must investigate the complaints it received last year from two F1 teams related to anti-competitive practices ............. "

Yes, I totally agree with this, a low budget or personal team cannot keep in challenge with such monsters as McLaren. They are always on a ball.

Ferrari have apparently interpreted 2017 rule changes as a means of putting Seb Vettel back at the front.

It wouldn't work SV would only crash it! 

Crash it, say "f****** idiot and blame Verstappen

Verstappen wasn't at Fiorano when Seb crashed the 2017 simulation converted 2015 car, the only one BTW.

BigH47 posted:

Verstappen wasn't at Fiorano when Seb crashed the 2017 simulation converted 2015 car, the only one BTW.

I'm sure it was still Max's fault...

After much PR from the teams and speculation in the press around the appearance of the 2017 cars, focussing on how awesome they will look, is it just me who is a little underwhelmed by the Williams FW40?

Oh I don't know, I thought it looked pretty good. I'm liking the wider tyres but you have to wonder if that's going make overtaking even harder on some of the narrower tracks. I really hope the extra mechanical grip offsets to an extent the even greater aerodynamic downforce. It'll be a crying shame if we get back to the situation of not being able to get close to the car in front again due to "dirty air"

Botas putting the new Merc through its pace. 

They have already said that there will be more mechanical grip. Also the aero is massively increased to, so I think there will be more  "dirty air"  available, therefore no close following in corners before straights. It is reckoned that DRS will be even more effective though. 

Sounds crap to me, F1 cars should be a at the peak, but more power than grip and less aero, or even less efficient brakes to really make braking distances greater would be a better option IMO. 

This is of course basically what was found when FIA, F1 did a survey of fans  and others, but the ruling councils response was more downforce.

Interesting report in Autosport  .........  Mercedes, RBR,  Ferrari & McLaren are forming an association to protect their position with the 'Constructors' Championship Bonus'  -  the financial payments system that gives them a 65% share of the total team payments.  This is in response to new F1 owner Liberty who has said this payment system is unfair & a source of conflict & its set to have it reformed.

Oh well ,,,,,,,,,  same old stuff as when we had Bernie.