F1 is changing in a big way.

[GIBSON]

Look for Porsche to not get into F1 unlessunless they get a big infusion of money from an outside company. I talked with some Porsche people at Indy and they did sound like the company was somewhat interested but that they knew they could not even consider it without outside cash. If some Sultan steps up with 100 million to spend on development they might consider it but they realize they are too small to go after F1 on their own. They are also aware that it costs a lot to win but
more to fail and they will only get into it if they think they can win.

[Jim Garfield]

i gotta agree

i watch m/c gp, but even switched off sometimes 'cause rossi dominated so much it was boring.
__________________
the dickster

dickster, did you see that Valetino Rossi has tested for Peugeot and will probably drive
for them in WRC next year?

[Jim Garfield]

Bruce, it seems to me that VW would be the perfect partner. They are looking to increase
their prestige (buying Bentley, Bugatti, etc.), they don't have anything to lose really (other
than hundreds of millions of dollars) as they don't have a motorsports reputation to up-
hold, they have the money, Porsche has always done their R&D and both companies
histories are intertwined back to the beginning.

The recently retired head of VW (Ferdinand Piech) is the largest Porsche stockholder,
he has time on his hands, has instigated and overseen two of the most successful racing
programs of all time ( the 917 and the Audi prototypes), and is someone who can make
things happen. A marriage made in heaven, or hell if they weren't successful.

My wife just read this over my shoulder and thinks that I have WAY too much time on my
hands.

[motion]

You guys seem to have lots of great ideas for new rules for F1... but you are forgetting what F1 is all about. Money, money, money. More than any other racing series in the world, F1 allows a team to design and race a car of their own design. Who would want to change that? So what if Ferrari is dominating and the racing isn't good? If you understand the premise of the formula, then you will appreciate what these 500 people at Scuderia Ferrari have been able to do. If you want rules, such as engine rev limitations, displacement limitations, weight, electronics reductions, etc, then watch Nascar. F1 is about the application of capitalism to a sport that the team is impassioned about. In my book, it doesn't get any better than that.

Only one thing I would change: those damn grooved tires.

And one more thing... I personally don't believe anyone has any right to say anything negative about F1 until they have at least seen a race in person and experienced the sound of those cars. There is absolutely nothing in the world that comes close.

[Jim Garfield]

I'm with you motion, let's drive by mlanger's house and moon him.

[autobonrun]

Everything Ferrari has they have earned. It's up to the other teams to take it, and it shouldn't be through some bending of the rules.

Second, everyone is too damn pessimistic. "Porsche will fail with the Cayenne, Porsche will fail at F1, yada, yada, yada".

I'm sure when the company first started, success wasn't guaranteed. Risk and reward are directly related. I'm also sure the Porsche bean counters won't let the company go into a venture that could bankrupt it. I think the visibility will also help Porsche sales. Look what Audi's racing successes have done for its sales.

Lastly, everyone talks about how much money it takes to enter F1. That is a given. However, with a 50 Billion+ viewing audience, the TV revenues are huge for the top finishers. What I'd like to know is how much money comes in from advertisers and TV shares to the top finishers? I've never seen that published. Also, where do you have to finish to break even; first, second, sixth. I don't know. I do know that the announcers said when Jordan finally finished in the points that the money they would receive from that race finish would help insure they could continue their program next year, so just getting in the points must be worth a bundle. With the new points system, the points (eg. revenues) will get distributed to more teams.

I say, Put Kimi Raikonnen and Montoya into a couple Porsches and I'll take my chances against Schumi.

[dickster]

jim,

sorry, how rude of me, i missed your post!!!

i've just read a bit about the fella in the last couple of days.

what a rider though, eh? i used to like watching him make a balls up of the start (regularly) go from the front row down to 10th place and then work his way through the field to win. i'm sure he does it for the challange!!

he's doing the rally of great britain next month - in a 206.

apparently, the word is that he will stay on his honda for next year, but is interested in riding with other manufacturers in the future.

it sounds like he could move to rallying or some other 4 wheeled racing, but not yet.........

[Tinton]

For the 2003 season, teams will have to start the race with whatever fuel is left over in the tank from qualifying.

Things are going to get a whole lot more interesting!

Anthony.

[Doug E]

Anybody know if Speed TV has secured the US broadcast rights yet?

March 9th can't get here soon enough to see the impact of all these rules changes.

[Jim Garfield]

That should lead to some interesting strategies from the rear of the grid cars Anthony.
And maybe up front too.

Doug, I don't think that they have yet. It always seems to be last minute.

March 9th is circled on my calender too.