Adrian_Thompson wrote: The Shnoz's are getting rhinoplasty for 2015 to fix the ugly tree decendants we have now.link-e-dink
Rules specifically and solely to make the cars look more like the organizers think they look. Almost as dumb as the fuel rules designed to increase RPM.
Keith Tanner wrote: Rules specifically and solely to make the cars look more like the organizers think they look. Almost as dumb as the fuel rules designed to increase RPM.
I don't have a problem with a vanity rule to make them look better, just as i don't have an issue with the current fuel flow rules.
change of subject. WTF is going on at Caterham? http://www.formula1blog.com/f1-news/big-caterham-announcement-no-green-cars-in-austin/
Cut and paste below.
Now things have have reached “ludicrous speed” in the Caterham story which, at this point, can we not follow traditional Formula 1 morays and call this Caterhamgate? Teamgate? Tonygate? Backmarkergate?
The team have now released a strong statement and suggested that the team management may not show up at the USGP in Austin because of the issues the team is facing.
It seems our lovable former F1 boss, Tony Fernandes, may be at the heart of the frustration of the current management of the racing team. If all of this is true, it doesn’t paint a very good picture of the affable Mr. Fernandes. If true, I would be concerned to be a QPR player or employee seeing how these deals go down but that’s just me and these are accusations only.
Here is the full statement:
“On 29 June 2014, Caterham Enterprises Ltd, Caterham (UK) Ltd and Sheikh Mohamed Nasarudin (Seller) and their shareholders Tony Fernandes and Datuk Kamarudin Bin Meranun entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Engavest SA (Buyer) with regards to 1Malaysia Racing Team Sdn Bhd/Caterham F1 Team.
Since the date of the Agreement, the Seller has refused to comply with its legal obligations to transfer their shares to the Buyer. The Buyer has been left in the invidious position of funding the team without having legal title to the team it had bought. This is in total contradiction to the Seller’s press release of 3 October 2014 which stated that Mr Fernandes and his Caterham Group had no longer any connection with the Caterham F1 Team.
The administrators of Caterham Sports Limited have been appointed on behalf of Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad (Exim), a creditor of Mr Fernandes and the Caterham Group. The Buyer has no connection with Exim. Caterham Sports Ltd was a supplier company to the Caterham F1 Team. Very regrettably, the administrators’ appointment has had devastating effects on the F1 Team’s activities. Since their appointment, the administrators have released various press statements which have been severely detrimental to the management of the Caterham F1 team.
After three months of operating the Caterham F1 Team in good faith, the Buyer is now forced to explore all its options including the withdrawal of its management team. Lawyers have been instructed by the Buyer to bring all necessary claims against all parties, including Mr Fernandes who, as an owner, will run the F1 operation.”
One of the things I read (can't remember where), is that this may be an attempt by Fernandez to bankrupt the team and buy it back for pennies on the dollar (No idea how that works legally).
In reply to Adrian_Thompson:
So then Kobi's assertions after the last races were right- they are short of everything.
Unless the bill has been paid to go to Texas, why even go?
Adrian_Thompson wrote:Keith Tanner wrote: Rules specifically and solely to make the cars look more like the organizers think they look. Almost as dumb as the fuel rules designed to increase RPM.I don't have a problem with a vanity rule to make them look better, just as i don't have an issue with the current fuel flow rules.
Overall, the fuel flow rules are good. But there's a tweak to them designed specifically to force the engineers to run higher rpm in order to get a better sound: they don't get full fuel until 10,500 rpm. Left to their own devices, the engineers would rather run slower for lower consumption. So the fuel rules are supposed to promote efficiency but also create a certain sound at the cost of efficiency. Which is pretty darn stupid in my opinion.
I'm hoping, for purely selfish reasons, that Caterham will make the trip to Texas. It'll be my first F1 race in person.
My guess is the cars and equipment never returned to the UK after Russia. I assume the entry and travel is all arranged and pre paid so they just send the cars from place to place to see out the season.
My guess is if Fernandez does bankrupt the team to buy it back for pennies on the $$ he may not be welcomed back by Bernie and the FIA. Remember they fined Andrea Moda big bucks for bringing F1 in to ill repute in 92 (but let's forget Nazi hookers, Bahrain, Russia etc)
I bet poor Kobishi is regretting passing on the paid Ferrari drive now.
For laughs http://sniffpetrol.com/2014/10/16/caterham-puts-kobayashi-on-ebay/#.VEgSbPl4pKC
OK, so the latest is that the workers have been locked out of the Caterham F1 factoryn by the administrators. Right now 1Malaysia Racing Team (1MRT) are saying the paid Tony Fernandez his money and that he hasn't transfered them the Shares, so as far as they are concerned Fernandez is responsible for the company, and Fernandez is saying that he hasn't been paid and that 1MRT have been using the facilities without paying for them.
Either way the poor employees and drivers look to be screwed, It's looking less and less likely that Caterham will be on the grid next weekend.
Even Bernie is saying it's too complicated to figure out what's going on right now.
I had such high hopes for the team when they launched as Lotus, I backed them as they got screwed by the Renault team and they changed their name to Caterham. I loved these pics when they came out and now they appear to be done and ready for the fork to be stuck in.
Down to 20 cars next year then, such a long long way from 32 entires and pre qualifying.
Adrian_Thompson wrote: Remember they fined Andrea Moda big bucks for bringing F1 in to ill repute in 92 (but let's forget Nazi hookers, Bahrain, Russia etc)
I'm pretty sure both Bernie and Max Mosley get off on human suffering, based on this same evidence 
Bernie's management philosophy is "nobody sullies this sport, except me!"
Adrian_Thompson wrote: Down to 20 cars next year then, such a long long way from 32 entires and pre qualifying.
If it makes you feel any better, Caterham might be out next season regardless of their troubles at the moment. Bernie's already said he's comfortable with F1 having 8 teams with 3 cars, all the low-budget teams who can't afford to run a 3rd car would be locked out of winning the constructor's championship this way. Just the stable business environment the big-budget players in any kind of racing want, no scrappy upstarts disrupting things with clever innovation.
GameboyRMH wrote:Adrian_Thompson wrote: Down to 20 cars next year then, such a long long way from 32 entires and pre qualifying.If it makes you feel any better, Caterham might be out next season regardless of their troubles at the moment. Bernie's already said he's comfortable with F1 having 8 teams with 3 cars, all the low-budget teams who can't afford to run a 3rd car would be locked out of winning the constructor's championship this way. Just the stable business environment the big-budget players in any kind of racing want, no scrappy upstarts disrupting things with clever innovation.
I think most of the teams have already de-bunked the 3 car deal as not practical or workable, especialy by next season
In reply to Keith Tanner:
I don't know why they are so invested in the high rpm sound.
Lets mandate an idle speed of 10,000 rpm since we are making stupid rules up.
dummies.
GameboyRMH wrote:Adrian_Thompson wrote: Down to 20 cars next year then, such a long long way from 32 entires and pre qualifying.If it makes you feel any better, Caterham might be out next season regardless of their troubles at the moment. Bernie's already said he's comfortable with F1 having 8 teams with 3 cars, all the low-budget teams who can't afford to run a 3rd car would be locked out of winning the constructor's championship this way. Just the stable business environment the big-budget players in any kind of racing want, no scrappy upstarts disrupting things with clever innovation.
just on merit the low-budget teams are locked out of WINNING the constructor's championship … regardless of how many cars they run … 3 car teams won't necessarily keep them from the occasional point … which is were they are now
Looks like Bernie's had enough F1 boss steps in
I had enough of Bernie 10 years ago. Please go away Berbie.
Audi coming in 2016? http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/89171/audi-to-join-f1-in-2016
Audi poised to ditch endurance racing and touring cars in favour of assault on F1 from 2016 The pre-war German domination of Formula One could soon be reborn, with Audi rumoured to be readying itself for a 2016 return to Grand Prix racing. Insiders at Audi and its parent, the Volkswagen Group, have revealed that Audi is set to abandon both Germany’s touring car championship (the DTM) and the iconic Le Mans 24 Hour race in favour of the world’s top open-wheel formula.
In reply to Tom_Spangler:
I interpret that as Renault is leaving.
stroker wrote: In reply to Tom_Spangler: I interpret that as Renault is leaving.
I don't see that. Why? The new regs were to keep them in.
I heard Audi bought Nigel Mansell's original Mustache.
BBC is reporting that neither Marussia or Caterham are going to make the USGP
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/29770496
johndej wrote: BBC is reporting that neither Marussia or Caterham are going to make the USGP http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/29770496
So how many seasons did the new teams last? One ended last year, one will end due to funds this year, and last finally had success until a horrible accident.
Not including the one that never made it.
Honestly, F1 has an issue if they have a short term retention rate of 25% for new teams. Those issues will slowly consume more and more of the field.
In reply to Adrian_Thompson:
Audi made a very long and detailed rant a couple of years ago specifically explaining why they had no interest in F1. Endurance racing was a superior test of technology and more relevant to their interests. If they come in now they'll simply have to eat their own words. Ain't no way Mercedes or Ferrari are leaving. Honda's coming in so if Audi is coming in too then I interpret that as somebody else is leaving. The only option is Renault. I could easily be wrong but I don't see Renault doubling down on their current situation. Red Bull (I would think) would clearly prefer a Mercedes powerplant and so if McLaren is getting a Honda that means Mercedes can pick up a "German" team for the same level of production and expense. If Renault loses RB, then who else is there left for them?
Does FOM guarantee a min number of starters? If so how will only 18 cars starting affect Austin and beyond? FOM already screws the organizers so the only income to offset the sanctioning fee is ticket and concessions. How many will stay away with grids having gone from 24 down to 18 cars?
Adrian_Thompson wrote: Does FOM guarantee a min number of starters? If so how will only 18 cars starting affect Austin and beyond? FOM already screws the organizers so the only income to offset the sanctioning fee is ticket and concessions. How many will stay away with grids having gone from 24 down to 18 cars?
IIRC 18 is the minimum.
Normally, I'd say that I suspect the vast majority of the fans aren't there to see Caterham and Marussia, and their loss wouldn't hurt. OTOH, Alexander Rossi was expected to be driving a Marussia in Austin, and it's been a long time since a US driver started a US grand prix.
Kinda sucks for Rossi that the team kept an empty garage last race, and now who knows if they'll ever run again.
I knew about Sauber and Caterham having $$$ issues but missed on the Marussia guys being so tight that they would miss a race weekend.
Are sanctions against Russia to blame or a red herring?
Mostly I feel bad for Kobayashi. He deserved a great car in the past two-three seasons. I think he and Bottas would be doing great things at Williams or Kobayashi at Ferrari next to Alonso. (Sorry Kimi seems your time is past)
Wait, minis time is up but kobysmashy is good? Really?
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