The New FOTA...

[veeten]

With Renault and Toyota possibly following BMW & Honda's move in leaving Formula 1, the composition of FOTA will change drastically; from a Manufacturer-controlled to a 'independent contractor'-majority organisation. Joining Brawn, Williams, Force India, McLaren and RBR/TR will be, essentially, 3/4 more chassis makers.

With the possibility of Mercedes and Cosworth as powertrain providers/partners, will Ferrari be able to maintain any semblance of control of this group, or will a 'palace coup' develop over time or some issue.

An interesting dicotomy...

[veeten]

With Toyota quitting, there is now only four manufacturers involved. So, the support numbers go something like...

Ferrari: Torro Rosso, Sauber

Renault: Red Bull Racing

Mercedes: McLaren, Brawn GP, Force India

Cosworth: Campos, USF1, Williams, Manor, Lotus F1

In the words of The Joker,... "Well, Well, Ms. Vale... Another rooster in the henhouse..." Sorta makes votes on the board interesting, especially if the propositions don't favor Cosworth & Mercedes.

Time to put those 'make nice' skills to good use, eh Luca?... ;) :p

[I am evil Homer]

Really it depends how much Todt and the FIA take on board the concerns of the teams in F1.

[ArrowsFA1]

FOTA is looking more like FOCA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FISA-FOCA_war) every day :p :

[ioan]

Even if the manufacturers don't have a factory team anymore they control the teams through providing them engines that they can't get anywhere else.

[F1boat]

Even if the manufacturers don't have a factory team anymore they control the teams through providing them engines that they can't get anywhere else.

How? It looks that next year will be the great Ferrari versus several Mercedes teams and myriad of Cosworth teams.

[ioan]

How? It looks that next year will be the great Ferrari versus several Mercedes teams and myriad of Cosworth teams.

A manufacturer can not supply more than 3 teams (4 with agreement from the other teams). There will be no myriad of Cosworth teams.

[F1boat]

A manufacturer can not supply more than 3 teams (4 with agreement from the other teams). There will be no myriad of Cosworth teams.

If there are only 3 engines, the rule will be changed for sure. I think that for now it is two teams with agreement for third, actually.

[ioan]

If there are only 3 engines, the rule will be changed for sure. I think that for now it is two teams with agreement for third, actually.

Renault and maybe BMW are looking to stay as engine suppliers.

[Easy Drifter]

BMW said no to supplying engines earlier.
Cosworth are already commited to at least 4 teams.
There is no question that any resrtiction on engine supply regulations will be changed if required to get cars on the grid.

[veeten]

A manufacturer can not supply more than 3 teams (4 with agreement from the other teams). There will be no myriad of Cosworth teams.

ah, and therin lies the rub, as Cosworth isn't a manufacturer, in the sense you like to call it.

Cosworth has not constructed a chassis nor raced as an individual entity. The same cannot be said of Ferrari or Renault, and Mercedes is a partner with McLaren, though they also supply Brawn & Force India.

Hell of a loophole, isn't it?... ;)

[leopard]

The big teams withdrawal of Toyota, Renault, and BMW is obviously great loss. Toyota during its participation has been pouring forth great deal amount of money to the sport, it's a shame if only they succeeded to hire better drivers who can pick a lock at least win a race will give the team some fresh blood to motivate them to stay in the sport.

Renault may be in a phase approaching red bull for bigger involvement in the team, in case of running their own team is not considered productive on FB and PS's leave.

Unless Cosworth can take measurable progress, the sport would represent more competition between Ferrari and Mercedes. The bigger worries F1 some day will resemble competition of one make race like A1. Which is not too good IMO.

[Saint Devote]

Red Bull will be in the pound seats if they become the concentration of Renault - imagine two excellent drivers and Vettel one of the top drivers, and Adrian Newey as designer - what a combination it would be!

[Big Ben]

Red Bull will be in the pound seats if they become the concentration of Renault - imagine two excellent drivers and Vettel one of the top drivers, and Adrian Newey as designer - what a combination it would be!

quite an explosive combination... especially with that last ingredient---

[V12]

Newey and works Renault engines? Where have I heard that before...

In other words yes, I agree.