The lifecycle of F1?
Discussion
Anyone noticed how F1 seems about to go full-circle in terms of the type of team entrant?
It used to be a rich-man's plaything with almost entirely privateer teams and professional organisations who's main intention was to race.
Over the years car manufacturers became more and more involved. Seemingly determined to use F1 as the most expensive, but best, form of advertising there is. Later on, with the money and power the big manufacturers had they came to dominate F1 with the exception of some of the original privateers Ferrari, McLaren and occasionally Williams able to compete. The privateer teams were unable to compete fiscally unless they were consistent winners.
But now with Brawn heralding the return of Privateer teams to the top of F1, the big manufacturers are unable to compete because of outside pressures on their businesses. We see Honda, BMW, Toyota and now maybe Renault leaving the sport, to make way for more privateers and professional racing teams.
The same alternate source of power and money that enabled manufacturers to dominate F1, are also the same cause for them leaving the sport. Ironic.
Just like any lifecycle I expect over the next few years (or decades) Privateers will run F1 until the manufacturers gradually make a return with the next period of economic stability.
I think there should be a new constructors championship to recognise this - the manufacturers v's the privateers. Who really is the best at F1?
It used to be a rich-man's plaything with almost entirely privateer teams and professional organisations who's main intention was to race.
Over the years car manufacturers became more and more involved. Seemingly determined to use F1 as the most expensive, but best, form of advertising there is. Later on, with the money and power the big manufacturers had they came to dominate F1 with the exception of some of the original privateers Ferrari, McLaren and occasionally Williams able to compete. The privateer teams were unable to compete fiscally unless they were consistent winners.
But now with Brawn heralding the return of Privateer teams to the top of F1, the big manufacturers are unable to compete because of outside pressures on their businesses. We see Honda, BMW, Toyota and now maybe Renault leaving the sport, to make way for more privateers and professional racing teams.
The same alternate source of power and money that enabled manufacturers to dominate F1, are also the same cause for them leaving the sport. Ironic.
Just like any lifecycle I expect over the next few years (or decades) Privateers will run F1 until the manufacturers gradually make a return with the next period of economic stability.
I think there should be a new constructors championship to recognise this - the manufacturers v's the privateers. Who really is the best at F1?
Edited by mattikake on Friday 6th November 01:18
StevieBee said:
Yep. Spot on.
I've said before on these pages that one should read Nigel Roebuck's Grand Prix Years 1981-1983. If you don't know the title, much of it you would think was a contemporary view on the present.
Well yes, why do you think many of us have been talking about the FISA/FOCA wars this season?I've said before on these pages that one should read Nigel Roebuck's Grand Prix Years 1981-1983. If you don't know the title, much of it you would think was a contemporary view on the present.
Plus ca change...
Back in the '50s, GP racing was a mix of privateers (Ferrari, HWM) and manufacturers (Maserati, Alfa Romeo). Manfacturer involvement waned as the privateer specialist became more successful and numerous. Along came Cooper, Lotus, BRM etc. Since then, it's been pretty much the domain of the specialist racing team. Manufacturers have come and gone but largely they have entered the sport either by supplying (or funding and badging) engines or alliancing with a private team. The alliance may be actually buying the team, but the running of the team has been left to the specialists. There have been very few manufacturer F1 teams that have actually been part of the corporate melange. The notable exception in recent years is Toyota. A manufacturer that set up its own team, but this was still a relatively independent operation.
F1 nowadays is so specialised that manufacturers do not have the skill sets necessary and will always have to sub-contract.
Thus you could say that we now have private teams that are owned by privateers (Williams. Brawn), privateers that are owned by wealthy businessman and used to market their business (Red Bull, Force India) and privateers that are owned by car manufacturers (Renault). Mercedes are an engine supplier who own a stake in a team. But where does that leave Ferrari? They started as a privateer, then started making their own cars and were eventually bought by Fiat. As they have kept their identity I like to place them in the first category.
F1 nowadays is so specialised that manufacturers do not have the skill sets necessary and will always have to sub-contract.
Thus you could say that we now have private teams that are owned by privateers (Williams. Brawn), privateers that are owned by wealthy businessman and used to market their business (Red Bull, Force India) and privateers that are owned by car manufacturers (Renault). Mercedes are an engine supplier who own a stake in a team. But where does that leave Ferrari? They started as a privateer, then started making their own cars and were eventually bought by Fiat. As they have kept their identity I like to place them in the first category.
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