"New F1 teams a joke"

[christophulus]

Go on, see if you can guess which F1 boss is complaining about the new teams, and wanting a third car and more testing.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.aspx?AR=250377


Ferrari’s boss also proposed revisions to spice up the sport.


"Do we need to race at two in the afternoon when everyone is at the sea?" he said. "Could we have two races per meeting? Do races need to last so long? F1 is not an endurance race. We need races to be short and tough."


I'm pretty sure F1 has been an endurance race for the past 60 years. Nothing to do with your cars being slow and unreliable then...?

[Sonic]

Phew! Thank God the FOTA teams didn't break away because otherwise this drivel would become reality.

[UltimateDanGTR]

ferrari's leaders never fail to dissapoint lately......

absolute drivel like sonic says. F1 hasn't had 3 car teams for years, 2 car entities its been for so long now and so it should be. to me it seems ferrari only want a third car to gain more prize money and become more prominent (not that they're not already though).

I admit F1 wouldnt be the same without ferrari. ferrari wouldnt be the same without F1. but I have news for them: It's not ALL about you.

[ArrowsFA1]

"F1 is like soccer. It needs heroes and it needs big teams."
Max used to compare F1 with a game of chess, so Luca comparing with soccer is slightly different! Yes, F1 needs heroes but not everyone's hero is a champion or a top team. The sport needs smaller teams just as it needs the big teams.

"You cannot equalise everything. We need to avoid having too many small teams because it means too many compromises."
F1 is a meritocracy where the ability and talent to do things better than everyone else is rewarded with points, race wins and championships. Whether you are a small or a big team you have the same opportunity to fight for points, wins and championships.

Luca appears to be arguing for the status quo where the big teams stay big, and there is little or no opportunity for new teams to come into the sport and rise to the top, if they are capable of doing that.

What compromises is Luca talking about? Does he mean the enforced reduction in budgets that allowed the likes of Virgin, Lotus and HRT to appear on the grid? If so, I think he has a point that the whole process that led up to new teams entering F1 this year was poorly handled, particularly as those new teams had the impression that budget restrictions would apply to every team, not just them. The goalposts moved and as a result how can Luca, or anyone, expect new teams to be as competitive as the big teams when they're running on comparatively tiny amounts of money.

I think it's generally recognised that the whole idea of new budget capped teams was a ploy by Max to be used against FOTA. Now Max has gone the sport is left with the consequences. What Max failed to acknowlege was that economic conditions determine budgets, and the FIA should not have become involved in dictating what teams can and cannot spend. However, the new teams are here now and perhaps Luca is simply arguing that this kind of entry process to F1 cannot be allowed to happen again.

"Giving this car to a good young driver or Valentino Rossi would be better than a team being four seconds behind."
Luca does seem very keen on getting Rossi onto the grid in a Ferrari :p but I don't see how F1 would benefit from three Ferraris, McLarens and Red Bulls dominating the grid as opposed to two. F1 needs variety.

I can see the merits of teams being allowed to sell their cars to another team which would then run them separately from the 'works' team, but existing teams running a third car does not appeal to me. Again Luca appears to be arguing for the status quo, except a reinforced status quo where the big teams have more of a chance to dominate.

"Do we need to race at two in the afternoon when everyone is at the sea? Could we have two races per meeting? Do races need to last so long? F1 is not an endurance race. We need races to be short and tough."
No Luca, F1 is not an endurance race, it is already different to the GT Championship. I have no desire to see F1 races reduced to sprint events.

As for the timing of the races Luca, as you're so keen on football I assume you oppose 3pm kick offs because everyone is shopping or at the sea :rolleyes: What are you suggesting; that races start when people are sat down having breakfast, or dinner? And what about the time differences around the world? Is everyone at the sea when F1 is on tv? Bernie's idea of having floodlit races so that Europeans could watch at a 'convenient' time is equally daft.

"F1 is the only sport in the world where there is no training."
The testing ban is rather excessive, but Ferrari have always wanted to be able to continue using Fiorano as and when they please, which is understandable.

I’m very impressed with Le Mans but we can’t do both [F1] because of money and know-how and it’s only one race. Instead if we can put together an endurance series, either 12 or 24 hours, with other car makers and race around the world, that would be good,"
Is this a diluted repeat of Enzo's occasionally used threat to withdraw from F1 if things aren't done in a way that Ferrari approve of?

[F1boat]

I agree about the testing ban, it's quite unfair on Ferrari IMO. The rest is ridiculous, though.

[Ranger]

Phew! Thank God the FOTA teams didn't break away because otherwise this drivel would become reality.

Amen to that.

[fandango]

In some ways I agree with him. Remember Lola, and teams like Osella years ago.

To make the comparison with football is interesting, because my question would be what, exactly, does an F1 team consist of? All the teams have two cars on track, but if you look at the number of mechanics and engineers I imagine there are big differences between the bigger and the smaller teams. I think they should limit the mechanic and engineering personnel too.

Let the teams test all they want, but at a race meeting they should have equal resources in man-hours (the same number of mechanics and engineers). Put cameras in all the garages and let everyone see them at work. It would increase the techie aspect, but if shows like CSI can be popular so can watching mechanics trying get set ups and repairs done in time.

The better people would get paid better and go to the richer teams, but it would leave more scope for ingenuity and talent.

[Dave B]

ALL teams were new at some point, even if was 50 years ago. It may just be that of the current crop only Lotus have what it takes to go the distance, but the sport would be a lot poorer if we'd never had the likes of Minardi, Jordan, Stewart, Prost and many more.

As for three cars, yes we get it, you want Rossi in your team. It's getting slightly obsessive and embarrssing to hear Ferrari banging on about him all the time, like some teenage girl fantasising about Justin Bieber. :s

I may not be a Ferrari fan but I do have a deep respect for their achievements over many decades. However, recent comments and actions are making them sound like bitter sore losers who can't stand to see others doing well.

[MadDan]

Go on, see if you can guess which F1 boss is complaining about the new teams, and wanting a third car and more testing.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.aspx?AR=250377



I'm pretty sure F1 has been an endurance race for the past 60 years. Nothing to do with your cars being slow and unreliable then...?

i believe that my ones faster than your because it is red
all day sunday not one bit of news about valentino rossi broken leg
yet a heap of valentino rossi to drive 3rd car

AM I RIGHT

[Dr. Krogshöj]

I think Luca di Montezemolo's quotes are generated by a software at the press office in Maranello. The ingredients are always the same: blaming a rule or a ruling for Ferrari's dissapointing results (double diffuser, testing ban, F-duct), badmouthing the new teams, Valentino Rossi, a couple of ludicrous ideas to 'shake up the sport' and yapping about a third car for Ferrari.

[UltimateDanGTR]

actually, who is the bigger joke?

the new teams

or

luca di montezemelo

sorry, but after recent (IMO rather cretinous) outbursts, I vote option 2. That's got nothing to do me with being a mclaren supporter, that's irrelevant.

[DazzlaF1]

ALL teams were new at some point, even if was 50 years ago. It may just be that of the current crop only Lotus have what it takes to go the distance, but the sport would be a lot poorer if we'd never had the likes of Minardi, Jordan, Stewart, Prost and many more.

Exactly, it was'nt long ago that Red Bull were considered a "new team" and look where they are now.

Yes Ferrari are part of F1 folklore but that does not mean they have the divine right to expect that everything they say should be implemented and treated like gospel. Its about what the fans want and us fans like to see new blood in the sport and to see them do well, in other words everyone likes a plucky underdog, Hell, does di Montezemolo, that elitist buffoon even remember how popular Minardi were with the fans?

He just needs to shut up and let the three newbies get on with it, all 3 have made great progress in the little time they've been in the sport and despite their lack of pace so far, they all have big ambitions for the future.

[woody2goody]

ferrari's leaders never fail to dissapoint lately......

absolute drivel like sonic says. F1 hasn't had 3 car teams for years, 2 car entities its been for so long now and so it should be. to me it seems ferrari only want a third car to gain more prize money and become more prominent (not that they're not already though).

I admit F1 wouldnt be the same without ferrari. ferrari wouldnt be the same without F1. but I have news for them: It's not ALL about you.

Yep.

These new teams are nothing but a credit to the sport. He should be ashamed of his comments.

[DazzlaF1]

Yep.

These new teams are nothing but a credit to the sport. He should be ashamed of his comments.

Could that be why LdM is criticising them? Them taking all the praise whilst his beloved Ferrari is rightly getting criticised left, right and centre.

Oh yeah that and I think he's still a bit peeved for not being allowed to run 3 cars

[Mia 01]

Have a teamboss in public stated that the new teams are a joke?

Doubt this.

The new teams ar doing just fine.

[SGWilko]

Have a teamboss in public stated that the new teams are a joke?

Doubt this.

The new teams ar doing just fine.

You do read this forum, and the sporting press, don't you? A while back Luca was scathing towards the new teams, almost jumping up and down spitting venom he was, then he stamped his feet and scweeeeeeeemed because he wants a third car allowed........

[CNR]

some one needs to remind him that in 1980
Ferrari where 10 th with 8 points
that is a joke

[Garry Walker]

Luca being stupid as always.
But it is truth that the new teams are a joke. The sooner they are gone the better.

[SGWilko]

But it is truth that the new teams are a joke. The sooner they are gone the better.

Well, no, actually. I think you are wrong.

They are doing OK, considering they are spending £40m, not £150m +.

Lotus are beginning to hunt the back of the field down IN THEIR FIRST YEAR, with a team and car that was conceived ABOUT 6 MONTHS BEFORE SEASON START.

Quite impressive, actually.

[Mysterious Rock]

In fact here is one I'd be putting money on right now.
Valentino Rossi to be driving in the 1st practice at Monza, seeing as he is out with a bust leg, which would not be unreasonable to believe that it would have to be stronger to do Moto GP than F1 ala Webber.

Just a thought but I can see it happening.

[jens]

Luca being stupid as always.
But it is truth that the new teams are a joke. The sooner they are gone the better.

Sorry mate, I don't get your hatred towards the new teams. Kobayashi beat Kovalainen only by 0,3 seconds. A team with 17 years of F1 experience vs a team with half a year experience. Who is the real joke here?

[DazzlaF1]

Any bets that Lotus could get a car or both cars into Q2 on merit before the end of the season, it certainly looks likely.

[RMLCruzeing82]

Any bets that Lotus could get a car or both cars into Q2 on merit before the end of the season, it certainly looks likely.

i do. i think virgin could do as well

[Somebody]

Lotus are winding down their 2010 development now, though, in favour of focusing on 2011. (I believe their last significant batch of new parts is due at Silverstone) That makes them getting into Q2 on merit highly unlikely.

Virgin have no chance.

[harsha]

well look at force india , redbull for instance ?

[Ranger]

Sorry mate, I don't get your hatred towards the new teams. Kobayashi beat Kovalainen only by 0,3 seconds. A team with 17 years of F1 experience vs a team with half a year experience. Who is the real joke here?

:up:

[Mia 01]

At the moment, the yoke is Sauber.

Lotus is shaping up nicely.

[ArrowsFA1]

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has renewed his attack on Formula 1's slowest cars - claiming that if outfits are not quick enough they should not even be allowed to take part in grands prix.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84539

[Dave B]

And yet again he's going on about three cars :rolleyes:

Luca and Valentino, sitting in a tree...

[Dave B]

In any case the car that tripped up a clumsy Alonso most spectacularly was a Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso, not a backmarker he was lapping...

True dat.

[CNR]

di Montezemolo shut the FECK up

Alonso not good enough driver to get passed Hispania yet this jetass di Montezemolo thinks he could have won the race.

[CNR]

MAYBE they are :cool:
http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/20596.html


The three new teams will almost certainly occupy the bottom three places in the championship, meaning one of them is set to land a £17 million windfall when it beats the others. Branson said he had not been aware of the money up for grabs.
"There's some money? You never told me that!" Branson is quoted by BBC Sport,after being told about the cash by Virgin Racing CEO Graeme Lowdon. "It does make a difference. Whereas I said I wouldn't mind about tenth place, I've suddenly taken a big interest!"

[SGWilko]

Luca and Valentino, sitting in a tree...

M O A N I N G........ ;)

[DazzlaF1]

I'll just repeat what someone else said as I agree with the statement totally.

"The 3 new teams are nothing but a credit to the sport"

Seriously, what planet is LdM on? To think that the 3 new teams have gone from between 5 and 7 seconds off the pace to between 2.5 and 4 seconds, thats over half the deficit in just 4 months yet this nitwit is still harping on about them being too slow is laughable, hell a Lotus was within just TWO TENTHS of outqualifying a Sauber just this weekend.

Mr di Montezemolo, Can you please shut up about these teams, they won the right to be in F1 and are here to stay and you will never get your wish of a 3rd car.

[UltimateDanGTR]

I'll just repeat what someone else said as I agree with the statement totally.

"The 3 new teams are nothing but a credit to the sport"

Seriously, what planet is LdM on? To think that the 3 new teams have gone from between 5 and 7 seconds off the pace to between 2.5 and 4 seconds, thats over half the deficit in just 4 months yet this nitwit is still harping on about them being too slow is laughable, hell a Lotus was within just TWO TENTHS of outqualifying a Sauber just this weekend.

Mr di Montezemolo, Can you please shut up about these teams, they won the right to be in F1 and are here to stay and you will never get your wish of a 3rd car.

well said. especially considering the new teams are undoubtadly on a massively tight budget when compared to the big spenders. to me, lotus, virgin, and even cash strapped HRT are doing just as a credible job spending their small amounts of money than mclaren, red bull, mercedes and ferrari are doing spending their hundreds of millions of pounds/euros.

[Big Ben]

Sorry mate, I don't get your hatred towards the new teams. Kobayashi beat Kovalainen only by 0,3 seconds. A team with 17 years of F1 experience vs a team with half a year experience. Who is the real joke here?

Deep problems that probably come from childhood I'd say. Nothing else could explain it. By his criteria new F1 teams should be allowed only if capable of beating the old ones. He would probably even forbid the older teams that don't win. We would end up having just one team. A team that would always win. No joke teams. Now wouldn't that be wonderful?

[F1boat]

I'm very sad that Luca continues to embarrass Ferrari with his ludicrous statements.

[Mia 01]

I'm very sad that Luca continues to embarrass Ferrari with his ludicrous statements.

Agree.

[truefan72]

I'm very sad that Luca continues to embarrass Ferrari with his ludicrous statements.
It is beneath a team like Ferrari to continue harping about this issue.
Hopefully no one else in the team shares his pov
sadly the drivers who most often face the media will have to be the ones answering questions about his statements. Although I expect Alonso to somewhat agree with him, and company man massa towing the line.

[Sleeper]

In some ways I agree with him. Remember Lola, and teams like Osella years ago.

To make the comparison with football is interesting, because my question would be what, exactly, does an F1 team consist of? All the teams have two cars on track, but if you look at the number of mechanics and engineers I imagine there are big differences between the bigger and the smaller teams. I think they should limit the mechanic and engineering personnel too.

Let the teams test all they want, but at a race meeting they should have equal resources in man-hours (the same number of mechanics and engineers). Put cameras in all the garages and let everyone see them at work. It would increase the techie aspect, but if shows like CSI can be popular so can watching mechanics trying get set ups and repairs done in time.

The better people would get paid better and go to the richer teams, but it would leave more scope for ingenuity and talent.
I believe there's already a limit of 45 people in place for each team over a race weekend, which doesn't make much difference.