Ferrari want 3 cars, I have an idea.

[dpbird90]

We all know Ferrari are bhing about wanting a 3 car team originally to put Schumacher in there or have Kimi as well as Massa/Alfonso, or to put Rossi in there.
Well, Ferrari are owned by Fiat, as are just about every other car maker in Italy. So why not bring back Maserati or Alfa Romeo? With Ferrari money and know how, I can't see how they can fail (except if they hire Badoer)

[llewop]

Nice idea in theory.

Except the issue of customer cars is currently heading in the other direction with Toro Rosso having to build their own this year rather than 'buy' the IPR from Red Bull Technology.

But also I don't think that would satisfy Luca... his ranting and ravings seem to be in aid of getting more Ferrari's on the grid! ... after all, they are the most important thing in F1.

[Mazda Baiter]

A better idea would be to tell Luca to stfu.

[AndrewW-G]

As do McLaren and a few others, selling "customer cars" to other teams is in theory a sensible way to recover development costs and ensure that even the lower ranking teams are competitive.

The idea was also initially discussed as a way of bolstering grid numbers, given that at least two of the new teams will IMHO (and that of BCE) fail to make the grid this year, running a third car or supplying another team, would only make the racing better and up to the mid 70's was a regular practice

[dpbird90]

Of course its a bit difficult to get rund the customer car regs, but what if they were to say "yes we designed it ourselves, the Ferrari blokes came in and gave us a few pointers"?

[Scuffers]

I think the 3 car teams was a good idea, the third car costs sod all additional cost (the cost is in design etc not making them), the grid would be 50% bigger (a good thing), the 3rd seat could bring in good money (pay driver/sponsors), the team costs would not change much (3 more guys to spanner the 3rd car).

even if every team could not run 3 cars, only award team points for 2 nominated cars to keep it fair.

[Munter]

dpbird90 said:

Of course its a bit difficult to get rund the customer car regs, but what if they were to say "yes we designed it ourselves, the Ferrari blokes came in and gave us a few pointers"?

It didn't work for McLaren. I can't see it working for anybody else.

[zac510]

They could name it Squadro Torro Cavallo ?

[dpbird90]

Munter said:

dpbird90 said:

Of course its a bit difficult to get rund the customer car regs, but what if they were to say "yes we designed it ourselves, the Ferrari blokes came in and gave us a few pointers"?

It didn't work for McLaren. I can't see it working for anybody else.

Yeah, but in all fairness that was McLaren in the Spanky days. Perhaps when its Ferrari things might be different?




(before anyone starts to rant, its a light hearted comment!)

[Phil-CH]

Scuffers said:

I think the 3 car teams was a good idea, the third car costs sod all additional cost (the cost is in design etc not making them), the grid would be 50% bigger (a good thing), the 3rd seat could bring in good money (pay driver/sponsors), the team costs would not change much (3 more guys to spanner the 3rd car).

even if every team could not run 3 cars, only award team points for 2 nominated cars to keep it fair.

I would think the the lower classed teams would have a problem with that, since ultimately, they'd be competing with 50% more cars. If the top two teams already take up the first 4 slots, having a third car would mean at least 6. Also, the additional salaries of that third driver would significantly up the costs for all teams. Imagine how much Ferrari would be paying to also give Kimi (or another top driver) a car.

[CTR Arachnid]

Also, the thrid car COULD be used as a development mule, especially with the lack of testing

[AndrewW-G]

CTR Arachnid said:

Also, the thrid car COULD be used as a development mule, especially with the lack of testing

Good idea, everybody runs 3 cars and has only two nominated for the championship, allowing afformentioned dev and opportunity to bring on young drivers

[zac510]

And they could run it on Friday? hmm sounds familiar..

[oilspill]

All those years of running just the one car have obviously got to Montewhacko's head Wish he would just let it rest ffs. He's already had another pop about the diffuser, and brought up schummi when launching Alonso's and Massa's new car

[dpbird90]

AndrewW-G said:

CTR Arachnid said:

Also, the thrid car COULD be used as a development mule, especially with the lack of testing

Good idea, everybody runs 3 cars and has only two nominated for the championship, allowing afformentioned dev and opportunity to bring on young drivers

Hmm, my original idea was to set up a "Ferrari B" Team (like RBR/STR) and badge it was Maserati or Alfa, but this sounds more feasable.

[oilspill]

dpbird90 said:

AndrewW-G said:

CTR Arachnid said:

Also, the thrid car COULD be used as a development mule, especially with the lack of testing

Good idea, everybody runs 3 cars and has only two nominated for the championship, allowing afformentioned dev and opportunity to bring on young drivers

Hmm, my original idea was to set up a "Ferrari B" Team (like RBR/STR) and badge it was Maserati or Alfa, but this sounds more feasable.

How long before teams (read Ferrari) start demanding money because their third car is attracting attention?

F1 is money.

[Munter]

dpbird90 said:

AndrewW-G said:

CTR Arachnid said:

Also, the thrid car COULD be used as a development mule, especially with the lack of testing

Good idea, everybody runs 3 cars and has only two nominated for the championship, allowing afformentioned dev and opportunity to bring on young drivers

Hmm, my original idea was to set up a "Ferrari B" Team (like RBR/STR) and badge it was Maserati or Alfa, but this sounds more feasable.

It has associated costs though. Something the smaller teams wouldn't be able to do. And thus give a testing advantage to the teams with most cash.

[oilspill]

Munter said:

dpbird90 said:

AndrewW-G said:

CTR Arachnid said:

Also, the thrid car COULD be used as a development mule, especially with the lack of testing

Good idea, everybody runs 3 cars and has only two nominated for the championship, allowing afformentioned dev and opportunity to bring on young drivers

Hmm, my original idea was to set up a "Ferrari B" Team (like RBR/STR) and badge it was Maserati or Alfa, but this sounds more feasable.

It has associated costs though. Something the smaller teams wouldn't be able to do. And thus give a testing advantage to the teams with most cash.

All the ideas suggested so far would be ok with financal rewards for the teams. The organzers of F1 dont dish out money without looking at the bottom line. They would all happly run 3 cars. Perhaps a different tier system of prize money for the 'B' spec, or 'junior' car?
There would need to be proven overall income advantage for F1 before they adopt.
Monty is ok, because he knows he can pull in more money if he ran Rupert the Bear in the third car