Formula 1 Overhaul

Neil Thomson

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Formula One's ruling body has announced plans to cut costs and improve racing after a meeting with team bosses in London.
The FIA have acted after saying the 10 team principals had failed to come up with concrete proposals despite much discussion.

Electronic aids such as traction and launch control are to be eliminated by 2004 at the latest with the FIA moving to have them taken off cars during the coming season

The governing body has also warned they will "rigorously apply existing rules" in the coming season to ensure teams will not be able to use a spare car in 2003.

Telemetry between the cars and pits as well as all radio communication between the driver and team will also not be allowed.

The FIA also announced plans to introduce standard braking systems, rear wings and other long-life components from 2004.

Warned

The prospect of manufacturers being compelled to supply engines to more than one team has also been raised.

From 2005, engines will have to last two races while in 2006 engine life will be extended to six races.

FIA president Max Mosley has warned he is prepared to force through changes if the teams did not agree their own.

"We have gone over to zero tolerance," he said.

"We could have probably been more insistent [last season] so now we decided we would impose the regulations to the letter."

Jordan team owner Eddie Jordan said after the meeting: "It's a huge day as far as we are concerned.

"The atmosphere was the best that I have ever known in a team principals' meeting.

"Things have been changed, Max has been quite brutal about what he wants to see for '03, '04 and '05 in terms of engines."

from BBC.

Surprisingly drastic changes, though personally I'd go further - I'm fed up of hearing commentators say 'There are few overtaking opportunities here'. Ferrari though must be gutted. :D
 

RUnited

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it's crazy i tell you.. <img src="graemlins/annoyed.gif" border="0" alt="[Annoyed]" />

Ferrari should be rewarded for being so successful.. not punished..

everything goes in a cycle..

everyone has had their time.. Williams, Benetton, McClaren.. it's just Ferrari time.. it'll be over soon..

once Schumacher quits racing i'm sure Ferrari won't be so dominating anymore..
 

AhmedDimwitson

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Originally posted by RUnited:
<strong>it's crazy i tell you.. <img src="graemlins/annoyed.gif" border="0" alt="[Annoyed]" />

Ferrari should be rewarded for being so successful.. not punished..

everything goes in a cycle..

everyone has had their time.. Williams, Benetton, McClaren.. it's just Ferrari time.. it'll be over soon..

once Schumacher quits racing i'm sure Ferrari won't be so dominating anymore..</strong><hr></blockquote>

It must be done though, the "sport" can't afford to have Ferrari dominating like they have. It relies heavily on their TV viewers and the interest has been decling for some time now as it's so uninteresting to watch. If it happens I can see alot of manufacturers withdrawing from F1 as they won't get any return for the several hundred millions they invest in their cars. I don't think anyone can disagree with me that last season was boring as hell, atleast Hakkinen could push Schumacher in the right car, none of the current crop of drivers are able to do so.
 

RUnited

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Originally posted by AhmedDimwitson:
<strong>

It must be done though, the "sport" can't afford to have Ferrari dominating like they have. It relies heavily on their TV viewers and the interest has been decling for some time now as it's so uninteresting to watch. If it happens I can see alot of manufacturers withdrawing from F1 as they won't get any return for the several hundred millions they invest in their cars. I don't think anyone can disagree with me that last season was boring as hell, atleast Hakkinen could push Schumacher in the right car, none of the current crop of drivers are able to do so.</strong><hr></blockquote>

that's the thing.. i see McClaren and Williams as real challengers, but clearly they lack the right kind of drivers..

how can you punish Schumacher for being the most experienced driver around? It's not his fault he didn't retire after winning his 3rd or 4th title..

Though i do agree with you about teams withdrawing as i also see more teams quitting F1 if nothing was done in their favour..

Then again i think that the new point system and qualification rules will suffice to improve the competitiveness of the sport.. there's no need to go as far as restricting developments and usage of engines.. it would only destroy the purpose of F1 which is to have fast cars racing.. it'll become a conservative sport where fast cars race safely through the tracks - what's the enjoyment there?

i enjoy F1 for its speed and driving agression.. it'll be ridiculous to start seeing Schumacher slowing down into 50's or 60's at a corner to ensure his engine lasts for 3-4 more race.. bollox IMO.
 

Neil Thomson

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While the only overtaking occurs at pitstops it'll remain a shit sport. If these changes go any way to bringing back real competitive racing then I'm for it. But one of the main reasons behind the change is to reduce the cost to the teams, as the lesser teams were struggling financially big time.
 

bazalini

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I'm delighted at the changes. The sport badly needs a change. I feel sorry for the likes of Ferrari, Williams and McClaren but we cann't continue with 3 teams being out front, (well really 1 in the last 2 seasons).

I hope that this season will bring me back in love with the sport as I cann't take any more of this Ferrari/Schmacher total domination. Its boring and tidious.