F1 2024

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Here's a crazy thought to discuss . Andretti Motorsports is granted a spot on the grid . They hire Gunther Steiner as team principal . He knows the ins and outs of F1 . He has connections in F1 . He knows how to start a team from scratch.

This would be a hit with the fans . It would be instant notoriety for the team . Sponsors would be calling to hop on the team bus . If nothing else it's fun to discuss 😋

Would be fascinating to know who they are considering for the post.

Gunther would make sense for many reasons.

[rfuerst911sc]

Another reason I think Gunther would be a good choice . He knows how to run/manage remote operations . It's my understanding that Andretti will run their F1 operations out of their mega facility in Indianapolis. They will also have a location in the UK .

That is a similar model to Haas which is run out of NC main office with a remote hub in Europe . It can be argued this is or isn't the best way to run a team but it is what it is . Having someone that's been there done that could be a valuable skill set .

Another thought , supposedly Andretti will be using Alpine/Renault engines for the first few years . Sznafauer is another possibility as team principle . He certainly knows Alpine and the Renault engine . He is respected in the paddock .

[red 928]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Having said that, when I heard about him taking over Leah's seat in the TF car, my cynical self wondered how Leah felt about being put out to pasture - she's the one who brought him into the NHRA in the first place, and she is a very competitive Top Fuel racer in her own right....

Leah LeDuc-Pritchett-Pruett-Stewart is out?
Shame

[Captain Ahab Jr]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Another reason I think Gunther would be a good choice . He knows how to run/manage remote operations . It's my understanding that Andretti will run their F1 operations out of their mega facility in Indianapolis. They will also have a location in the UK .

That is a similar model to Haas which is run out of NC main office with a remote hub in Europe . It can be argued this is or isn't the best way to run a team but it is what it is . Having someone that's been there done that could be a valuable skill set .

Another thought , supposedly Andretti will be using Alpine/Renault engines for the first few years . Sznafauer is another possibility as team principle . He certainly knows Alpine and the Renault engine . He is respected in the paddock .

Not quite correct....

Haas is run out of Europe, aero/car design in Maranello, race team, vehicle dynamics and race engineering in Banbuty UK with a remote hub head office in USA

Multi-location teams will never be competitive compared to single location teams. Too much time lost with working remotely

Andretti have a design office in Silverstone UK, think aero wind tunnel development is at Toyota facility in Cologn Germany

[rfuerst911sc]

^^^ Thanks for the correction .

[yellowperil]

going back to "tyre wars" and that would be good for F1, and I agree with that.

[Neilk]

Originally Posted by Captain Ahab Jr

think aero wind tunnel development is at Toyota facility in Cologn Germany

It seems to get a lot of use, but has anything successful come out of that wind tunnel?

[Captain Ahab Jr]

Originally Posted by Neilk

It seems to get a lot of use, but has anything successful come out of that wind tunnel?

Some F1 wins but Toyota have racked up a few WRC and sports car championships

I spent a week there with Ferrari, very impressive facility but Koln city centre was more impressive, so many hot university chicks

[Rtrorkt]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/68065785

another street/road course. How do the Spanish feel about this?

[rfuerst911sc]

A possible future F1 race in Chicago ?

https://www.si.com/fannation/racing/f1briefings/news/f1-news-chicago-grand-prix-trademark-application-submitted-by-formula-one-lm22

[Captain Ahab Jr]

https://theathletic.com/5235363/2024/01/29/andretti-f1-entry-approval-new-team/

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by Captain Ahab Jr

https://theathletic.com/5235363/2024/01/29/andretti-f1-entry-approval-new-team/

No one can doubt Andretti’s commitment to compete. It would be a fascinating, electric environment to work in, a seemingly well funded F1 startup.

[URY914]

I saw this guy walking around the garages this weekend at the Rolex.

[Zeke]

A crazy thought is that Andretti creates the impetus for another series. Could be a U.S., Canada, Mexico series. We know that F1 wants more U.S. races. How many people would be willing to bring 2 year old technology into a new series?

All it would take is to race at tracks that are worthy but not on the Indy Car schedule. I know there are more tracks than present Indy Car races.

It would only need some big name drivers to draw out the crowds.

[URY914]

Originally Posted by Zeke

A crazy thought is that Andretti creates the impetus for another series. Could be a U.S., Canada, Mexico series. We know that F1 wants more U.S. races. How many people would be willing to bring 2 year old technology into a new series?

All it would take is to race at tracks that are worthy but not on the Indy Car schedule. I know there are more tracks than present Indy Car races.

It would only need some big name drivers to draw out the crowds.

Sorry but I don't think it will work. People want to see the best cars and the best drivers.

[rfuerst911sc]

I would like to see F2 and F3 run some races in the US . They could run before F1 as support series or on stand alone dates .

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by URY914

Sorry but I don't think it will work. People want to see the best cars and the best drivers.

You haven't been to the Long Beach Grand Prix. There are at least 5 races plus all the practices and qualifying. People (some) even love the off-road trucks on the track complete with jumps.

Most of the people couldn't name all the races, much less the drivers. But they do know a hero like Al Unser Jr who won it 4-5 times, IDR. Then there's the drifting the weekend before. We've had karts and runner marathons.

LB is not a destination for another formula race. We have the favorite one outside of Indy itself.

Speaking of best cars and best drivers, this is Indy Car. A spec series that some take seriously. Even though F1 managed to pull off Las Vegas and not look so much like the Miami circus, it's still ridiculous. A rock concert that happened to have a race. The place was packed.

It was an idea. Good promotion at good venues and fun support races like CanAm, I think it would have a possibility. However I wasn't thinking when I thought if Andretti was refused a grid spot in F1 that he would do anything to dilute his Indy Car program.

Not gonna happen.

[URY914]

I don't see how Indycar is holding on these days. It just isn't what it used to be.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by URY914

I don't see how Indycar is holding on these days. It just isn't what it used to be.

That's you speaking which is fine. If you go to the LBGP you won't see that many gray hairs. You might be right that it isn't as it was from a Boomer perspective.

I'll tell you one thing, it's expensive. I can't find any info on the average amount of money a fan spends at LB. I can find overall benefit to the economy (some 30 million, give or take), the cost of tickets which is about $114 for Sunday and a seat. Or $77 for a Friday up to $21,000 for the full 3-day executive suite ticket.

I'd estimate though, that the average expenditure per single person is around 300 all in and not staying overnight. That's just at the race. Accommodations are at a premium that weekend, so a min of $400 and way on up. Dinners in LB are like everywhere else. min $50/person and more like $75 with beverages.

No, it's not the same as when it was CART.

[URY914]

IndyCar is more than just the LBGP. I talking about the entire series. Enough.