Smoking the Peace Pipe

Peace has returned to the world of Formula One. But at what cost?

Yet again, after everyone makes kissy-faces and make up, the sport is left with a black eye in terms of public perception. Actually, a black eye would be lucky. It feels like the sport got dragged through a ditch backwards and left on the road.

Hasn't anyone learned from the past few years? You would think the experiences over the past few years would make people think 'hey, lets try to keep a lid on this?' Instead, we get a public mud slinging match that overshadowed a good weekend of racing. Now, only half a week after that, everyone is friends again, more or less.

For a group that was so willing to be public about things, they are being closely regarded about the particulars of how peace was made. Now that everyone is back in the same bed again, does that mean the fans once more are shut out with everything decided behind closed doors?

Formula One has a serious image problem that it needs to fix. It will take time to mend the bridges that were blown up during this civil war. Di Montezemolo was right about one thing, the sport does need to be relaunched.

Now, that apparently everyone is back at the same table, is the time to fix issues that are up with this sport. While steps have been made to make the sport more accessible, such as the interviews after each session of qualifying, the sport can do so much more to become more fan friendly. The spectacle itself needs much work. Despite work by the committee for overtaking, we still have cars unable to get close when they get around a second behind another.

Of course, that may just be wishful thinking. Only time will tell.

Formula Fucked

I've spent the last month wondering what to do. As I watch the sport I love implode, I find myself in a situation where I don't really want to write anymore. As both sides bicker as they look to take the biggest slice of the cake for themselves, we fans are left, given the royal screw job as is usually the case.

Tonight, as the FIA and FOTA sat on either side of the poker table, the dealer said to call. FOTA have called the FIA's bluff and finally, many years after the idea was originally thrown around, decided to set up their own series.

Suddenly, the prospect of the British Grand Prix this weekend seems pretty forgotten. Is there much point in watching Formula One for the rest of the year now? Really? With eight out of the ten teams leaving for their own championship. Chances are the World Champion won't be on the grid – heck, will any of them be?

I just keep thinking about the Indycar split. The Indy Racing League took the prestigious race. CART took the drivers and the teams. The latter was the more popular one for many a year. Formula One may have the name, but without the Ferrari's and the McLaren's, the Alonso's and the Hamilton's – is it truly the pinnacle of the sport.

A Farcial Mess

Been a little time since I’ve made a decent contribution here. Honestly, with all the goings-on in Formula One, I have had a serious lack of motivation to write anything conductive about the sport right now.

With the ‘deadline’ for teams to sign up rapidly approaching, the sport remains mired in a mess. We have two sides that want their own way, struggling to find the middle ground. I think Formula One fans must feel like the only child in a divorce, with both parents vying for who gets the fancy cutlery. I feel like the fans are getting the short-shift here.

The fact we are at this point is pretty pathetic. Both sides are at fault here. It reminds me of why I hate politics. At the end of the day, they don’t really give a fuck about anything but themselves.

First off, Ferrari. Looking for a court injunction solo was just nuts. At the very least, it should have been a FOTA thing. Ferrari come off looking after their own interests. FOTA are supposed to unified, yet if the last few weeks are anything to go by, that doesn’t appear to be true.

The FIA themselves tried to drive a wedge, informing teams of Ferrari’s special veto. This was a case of two shots in the one foot. On one hand, how can the sport be seen as fair to all if Ferrari has a veto over rule decisions? Better yet, why did the FIA give it? Letting us know it is there just reminds us why people view the FIA so poorly.

This reminds me of what a debacle the WRC has become. A few years ago, it had numerous manufacturers involved. Then the FIA decided to start chopping and changing the rules. The result so many of the manufacturers leaving the sport and public interest waning in it. You would think the FIA would learn that if you start messing with the formula consistently, it is going to cause trouble.

We have had rule changes this year. We have a spate of them coming next year. I thought Formula One was supposed to become more ‘fan friendly’. Anyone else see the contradiction there?

The whole situation is a mess. Whatever happens, Formula One yet again finds itself with a black eye because of how they choose to air their dirty laundry in public.

Common Sense to Prevail?

It appears that common sense may prevail regarding the new gimmicky Formula One rules.

After FOTA questioned the validity of the new system, the FIA announced that they would be willing to defer the new system for a year. It still wouldn’t be a perfect solution, but with a delay, it could allow for a realistic system to be put in place.

The ‘gold medal system’, which is basically what it is, has been universally condemned by drivers, teams, pundits, world champions and most importantly of all – the fans. The FIA make a big song and dance about wanting to get more in touch with the fans and then turned around and slapped them in the face. Motorsport forums across cyberspace have been set alight with disdain for the new systems.

What disappoints me most is that we are at a stage in the sport where cooperation is vital. With FOTA, we have the teams working together like never before. Could you imagine Ferrari and McLaren working side by side for the perceived ‘greater good’ a few seasons ago? If I wore a hat, I would definitely be tipping it to the teams for their concentrated unified front to try to make things better for the sport.

The FIA on the other hand, are left with egg on their face. Actually, I’d say they have the full Irish breakfast on it. I don’t think I have read one article that has stated support for the gimmicky system. We don’t need gimmicks for the sport. It has last this long on a traditional points system, so why change it now?

Better yet, what is wrong with the FOTA proposal? It was simple to understand and instilled that need to push for spots because of the additional points gained. How many fans will end up scratching their head at the end of 2008 is the driver with the most points doesn’t win? Formula One does not need to be driving fans away.

Just admit it – you cocked up. Take your lashings in good stride and give the people what they want. It is the people who you claim you want to make the sport better for. Here is a grand suggestion. Ask us, before you act.

Medals in sheeps clothing

The old saying goes, ‘good things comes to those who wait’. Well, the Formula One community has waited, and what we got was a slap with a raw fish. But I suppose, that isn’t anything new.

We have a new way of determining the winner of the Formula One title – by wins. So, basically, it’s Bernie’s gimmicky medal plan, without the medals. Honestly, I don’t know what to think of it. I’m just shaking my head in complete disbelief that sport which is seen as the pinnacle of motorsport is reducing itself to this.

I was full of hope for the FOTA proposal for the points would go through. Their idea was to reintroduce a larger gap between the points offered for the highest positions. Honestly, that system should never have been dumped. Sure, Michael Schumacher broke it when he won the season by France one year.

But the biggest complaint I have always had about the current system was that it encouraged drivers to settle. If you are in second, sure why push for first when you are only gaining two points. Second issue was that if someone built up a safe lead, they could spend the second half of the season taking it easy since the ability to gain points was small given the points structure. At least with the old four point gap, you had reason to hunt someone down rather than play it safe and save the engine.

But no, apparently alls we deserve is Bernie’s system with a wash of paint off it. Don’t get me wrong, I think wins are valuable. But what is the point in someone bothering to race from the back for points when these ultimately don’t matter at all in the championship hunt, unless there is a tie for wins.

My biggest concern is, with this points system, coupled by the testing ban, could lead to the field stringed out and we end up with one dominant car. Technically, someone could actually win the title by mid-season. All that it will take is nine straight victories. This is as bad a decision as it was to change the points system a few years ago. People need to learn that if something isn’t broken, don’t fix it for the sake of it.

Mo' Money

Money certainly remains the talking point with the business..err.. sport that is Formula One.

The latest is the spat created by Ferrari president, Luca di Montezemolo, calling for a greater slice of the revenue. Mind you, when I first read reports on this, it was a case of the teams looking for it (di Montezemolo is the the current head of FOTA), but these seem to quickly turn into Ferrari just looking for it.

Toyota F1 president, John Howlett, has since come out stating that they were also interested in a great slice of the pie. No surprise there, since the Japanese manufacture has just announced profit losses this year.

One reason for Ecclestone's statement is, according to rumors in the media, an attempt to drive a wedge between Ferrari and the rest of FOTA due to Ferrari having a special deal. This deal is said to provide Ferrari with substaneously more money for winning than other teams.

Such a deal, while unsurprising, is not something I think I should be in place. Just because Ferrari is the longest running F1 team and is rich in history, shouldn't give them that such benefits.

That been said, its funny how the other side of the coin looks a couple of years on. Think back a few years ago, when there was serious talk of a new breakaway series. The FIA offered Ferrari the special deal and brought the marquee back into the fold. The result eventually started a domino effect that saw the end of the breakaway league threat.

I wonder what people who talk about FIA-Ferrari bedhopping will take on the twists and turns of the 'relationship.'

So really, the situation is what it is, because of the deal done with the FIA a few years ago. After using the 'pull' the Ferrari name had to 'save' the sport, one could say they are now trying to feed it back to the dogs to possibly, according to the rumors, split the unified front of the teams.

Although, I wonder how much credibility rumors of trying to put a wedge in FOTA are. Isn't a series with a unified front vital in such an economic climate?

Of course, when money is involved, lines always become more blurred.

The Futures Bright?

Last Friday, the FIA and FOTA came to an agreement on cost-cutting measures. It’s funny how when staring down the barrel of a gun can suddenly turns people who would draw this out till we are dust and bones into agreeable parties.

As for the changes, honestly, the jury is out for me.

In-season testing has been banned, with the sport taking a page out of Nascar’s book. The American series confirmed their own testing ban a few weeks ago in an effort to kerb costs. On the bright side, it should ensure that there will be plenty more action on a Friday for spectators to watch, given this will be their own test time.

On the flip side, I am concerned. What happens if one team gets a significant jump on the others? It has happened in the past and the only way they were reeled back in was via working hard on the testing front. That option is now eliminated. Will the sport resort to weight ballast like touring cars if this sort of situation crops up?

The engine unit must now last an additional race, meaning that we will see the same motor used for three races. Each driver has eight engines for the season, with four additional ones for testing. No mention of what happens if someone actually goes over that limit. Do they sit out the rest of the season? Granted, reliability has been quite good in recent years, but you have to ask.

For 2010, refuelling will be banned. Now this, I have some major concern with. Over the past decade, fuel loads have played an important part in grand prix racing. If your opponent is faster than you on track, you short-fill and hope you can pump in those fast laps to build sufficient gap. Tail-enders depend on heavy loads to try to bring them into play late in the race.

All this is now eliminated. Providing a driver doesn’t have an issue, there is no need to worry about someone throwing an exciting spanner into the works now. Does this mean we should know the results after the first few laps of the race?

With no fuel and longer equipment lives to watch out for, I am worried that the sport will become one of who can take care of their equipment best – not who is the fastest of them all.

The KERS system will not be mandatory for next year, although many will probably run with it. McLaren and Ferrari had expressed fears about the cost of it, but given that it will be mandatory for 2010, I’d expect everyone to make an effort to bolt it on. Whatever about costs, the end of the day one doesn’t want to be lagging behind in the development of it.

The standard engine issue remains an option, if only to have one cheaply available to the independent teams. This is a great way to make both sides happy. Standardised gearboxes and the sharing of information has also been talked about for 2010.

As for the proposed medal system, that is reportedly going to be put to the public, where I personally hope it gets shot down. It is a gimmick idea we just don’t need for the sport.

All this, on top of the technical changes for the coming season. It is a lot to take in.

Busy Busy

Just a heads up, the Nascar 'Phillies' will be announced tomorrow instead of today. The Race of Champions is on today and for quite a long time - so I'll be tuning into that to cover it.

Also, in the coming week I'll be looking at the 'bright' future of Formula One after the FIA and the teams agreed on cost-cutting measures for the future.