Tag Archive for 'honda'

Ferrari

Finally, amidst all the drama we have a new season of the Formula 1 motor racing about to begin in just a few days over a fortnight. What with recession threatening to throw the future of the event into jeopardy, Honda pulling the plug on its team, ING refusing to renew their sponsorship of Renault and teams threatening to quit, its somewhat fortunate that we will get a full calendar this year.

It was already predicted that if the budget be not controlled, a few teams might consider walking away from the sport, but that the effect would actually happen this year was not expected. It came as a surprise when out of blue Honda announced its decision to dismantle the team and quit F1. Spiralling costs were seen as a major reason behind the decision, with recession not helping. A huge save-honda-campaign was launched by Bernie who took it upon himself to find a buyer to buy out the team. Apparently Michael had been approached, but he refused to get involved in the sport in that capacity. Ross Brawn was interested to buy out the team, and even Bernie was ready to provide behind-the-curtains funding. There were also occasional rumours of a third party hostile buy out, and that of Virgin Grp’s interest in the team. It all came to naught when it was finally delcared that the management team of Honda led by Brawn had bought back the team. Thus we have this year the BrawnGP challenger instead of the Honda challenger.

Just as AIG had refused to renew their contract with the soccer icons Manchester United, ING announced similar treatment to Renault. Renault though have dismissed any concerns regarding the funding and instead insist are well off. I am not sure but I also read this rumour that similar problem has been faced by Williams team. This definitely calls for some drastic implementations of budget regulations unless we are prepared to lose out a few more teams.

But the proposed budget implementations do not bode well with all the teams, and certainly not the viewers. For instance, one of the rules to be implemented in near future is that of engine standardisation, whereby all the teams shall use the same engine provided by a neutral company, just as is the case with current tyres provider Bridgestone and the standardised Electronic Control Unit manufactured and provided by Mercedes. Obviously the teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, Renault, Toyota who manufacture their own cars will not be pleased with this constraint, as using the same engine eliminates one of the main uniqueness of each formula 1 car on the grid. A lot of research goes into the design of the engine and using the same engine could kill the sport. However, it also reduces the overall money spent by the teams on the research of the engines.

In view of reducing the budget, one of the better rules to be implemented this season onwards is the prolomged usage of the same engine for 3 races as opposed to just 2 last season. This is one the most important regulations for the season to cut down the costs. Also there are restictions on the usage of wind tunnels and all, though I am not very much clear about it. Also a reduction in testing time is a welcome idea.

But what begs a question is that when everywhere the emphasis is on the reduction of the budget, why is the super license fee being increased. Infact a few of the drivers did protest, but these things never work out. Bernie has made it absolutely clear that unless the license is paid the driver will not be allowed to race.

Moving on from the much hyped and discussed topic of recession and budget control, this season the driver-team lineup has almost remained the same. Vettel is I suppose the only exception, replacing Coulthard.

I have been following the winter testing and Ferrari looks a competitive package this time. Last year they were struggling a bit during the testing season, while this time around they have been at the top setting the pace almost every time. The pace seems to be good, and Raikkonen for once looks motivated. Hamilton had put his car through the laps well, but Hekki seems to be struggling coming to terms with the new car. This does make me feel hopeful of a Kimi resurgence. I feel sad for Alonso though. Having shown sparks of brillance towards the end of the last season, I expected much more of him during the pre-season training. The results have been pretty ordinary by his standards. I would love to see him at the top chasing down the Ferraris and the McLarens. He is one man I despised during the Schumacher era, but came to appreciate his talents later on. Give him a BMW an I am sure he’ll make life a hell for Kimi, Massa and Hamilton. He’s a class apart.

Its an anxious wait, striking off the days to the Melbourne Grand Prix. May the best Ferrari win.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Ex-Honda team Brawn GP dominates pre-season F1 tests (autoblog.com)
• Formula One faces crisis as sponsors put the brakes on (telegraph.co.uk)
• McLaren admit car isn’t fast enough (guardian.co.uk)