It shows that F1 is in a sad state and the sales of the automotive industry, which decreased by more than 20% since 2007, the last quarter of 2012 being another disaster. So medium term there will be no recovery and F1 will need to drag in more and more sponsors from other industries, and will end up with more and more pay drivers.
Force India, Marussia and Caterham are all in danger, and careful planning like in the case of Caterham should assure that they will remain on the grid for years. However, it is no easy times and F1 could end up with as few as 8 teams by the start of 2014.
Needless to say, Bernie will then do something about it, but it might be a case of too little, too late.
Please express your opinion
- how many teams you think will be still on the grid by the start of 2014?
- can F1 teams survive on pay drivers alone?
- what can be possible mid term to long term solutions for the sport, that has entered another (for many so far invisible) crisis?
- will three car teams be the only solution long term?
Edited by aditya-now, 21 January 2013 - 11:35.