The Official 2008 F1 Series Thread

[Jon325i]

Wow, what a shame. It makes you wonder how teams like Williams and RBR/STR can stay afloat. I mean, I figure BMW, McMerc, SF, and Toyota will likely be able to resist the ailing economy, but those teams that I first mentioned are probably biting their fingernails at the moment.

If no one steps up and buys this team and Honda folds up their F1 racing tent for good, my bet is Toyota will be the next to follow. Very shortly after the end of the 2008 season there was a news story about Toyota wanting to make a big committment to running at LeMans again in the prototype class by 2011. If Honda is gone from F1, so is Toyota's main rival....and it would probably just be more fodder for them to leave as well and go focus on other motorsport pursuits.

Jon

[TDE30]

If no one steps up and buys this team and Honda folds up their F1 racing tent for good, my bet is Toyota will be the next to follow. Very shortly after the end of the 2008 season there was a news story about Toyota wanting to make a big committment to running at LeMans again in the prototype class by 2011. If Honda is gone from F1, so is Toyota's main rival....and it would probably just be more fodder for them to leave as well and go focus on other motorsport pursuits.

Jon

Wow, you don't say? I recall hearing about their possible LeMans re-entry, but I didn't imagine it would take up much of their resources. Surely they've noticed the improvements of theit Formula One program. Hopefully they won't can it, but like you mentioned before, the possible Honda withdrawl may be the catalyst for things to come.

[ldsbeaker]

Wow. I can't even drown myself in F1 to get away from the economic "crisis" anymore.

Although, I was thinking about this the other day...
WTF is NASCAR going to do?
/waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy off topic musing.

[TDE30]

^

Insert devilish grin and "MUHAHAHAHA" here.

[z31maniac]

Wow. I can't even drown myself in F1 to get away from the economic "crisis" anymore.

F1 needs a cost cap, like all major sports in this country. Although I don't know how they would enforce it, but it would go something like this.

"The size of the car has to be within these guidelines, you are going to run these tires, you have $200 million for travel, R&D, operations, everything. Now run what ya brung."

[el bob]

Sucks about Honda. Audi just pulled out of Le Mans too.

[Hick]

i say stop development on KERS, give them the new tires and a price cap to develop the 08 car. but teams must keep the same chassis, only aero development. keep it that way until the economy rebounds.

but im a nobody... so ill just watch f1 go down in flames...

god dammit, i wish Massa won the title.

[Charlie]

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_4591276,00.html

Spec engines are go.

-Charlie

[E-Thirty]

Sucks about Honda. Audi just pulled out of Le Mans too.

Just the Le Mans series in Europe. They still have a new chassis to debut in Sebring and are still racing in Le Mans 24 hours. Still no word on them continuing in ALMS.

F1 related:

Funny that Cosworth got the deal after being booted out previously.

[Charlie]

Still no word on them continuing in ALMS.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72333

Gone. No Audi, No Porsche, limited schedule for the GT1 Vettes, and a cutback in the Acura program, provided it lasts.

-Charlie

[TDE30]

2009 will go down in my book as the last season of Formula One.

Edit: Amazing to see Audi withdrawing from the ELMS and ALMS, never has "endofanera" been more appropriate.

[E-Thirty]

Well, they do have alot on their plate; but a whole new prototype chassis and motor for just 2 races...

[Charlie]

2009 will go down in my book as the last season of Formula One.

Why?

Bailout of manufacturer based teams, low aero, slicks and cosworths across the board. That pretty much sums up 1972-1980, F1 survived that.

-Charlie

[Dave]

So Rubens will retire, but where does Button go? ARCA/ReMax Series?

[E-Thirty]

Yeah, but F1 has lost the charm they had back then.