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FOTA general launch event - what do you think? [merged]


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#1 r4mses

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Posted 04 October 2009 - 23:08

As stated here, FOTA discusses general launch event for their 2010 cars.

Imo it'd be great to have such a general launch event IF it's only about new liveries.

Besides the fact that I don't want to see all the new cars at once - information overkill, stimulus satiation etc ;) - the idea to launch all cars at the same time doesn't seem realistic to be anyway. While big teams finish their cars quite early and put them on track, smaller teams used to (or rather have to...) wait way longer. Last year for instance we had launch dates between Jan 12th and Mar 9th. So what about test-only-liveries - like Williams' dark blue this year, Honda's all black or McLaren's orange cars some years ago - until their final liveries are revealed during a "FOTA Launch Event" (aka massiv pr event) two weeks prior to the season opener?

What do you think?

Edited by r4mses, 04 October 2009 - 23:12.


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#2 alfa1

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 01:07

What do you think?


On the one hand, its touted as a cost cutting event, which to be sure is cheaper than some of the extravaganzas that have been performed over the years. However, I've also noted a number of 'launches' in recent years which happened in pit lane, either at the Australian GP or at a test track.

Given the certainly of less media publicity that would result from a combined launch (for any one team, having to share the glory), if I was a team owner I'd stick with a launch in pit lane of a test track, on a test day in February when no other launches were taking place.
Since the cars, drivers and personnel would be there anyway, its actually cheaper than taking everything to a combined FOTA event.


#3 Captain Tightpants

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 05:25

Here's a possible solution: a staggered test. Two weeks before the season opens, the teams have one big test session in Bahrain. Say all thirteen teams make it, you draw that test out over two or three weeks.

On the first day, Ferrari launch their car. They get a fixed number of laps to introduce the car, give the media the chance to get what they need, and then the session closes down for the day. On the second day, McLaren launch their car. Like Ferrari, they get the same fixed number of laps where they get the circuit to themselves, and then the track opens up and both teams can test. On the third day, the same thing happens: Red Bull have the track to themselves, and then everything opens up. But then on the fourth day, when Brawn debut their car, Ferrari cannot do any more runs because they have done their three days of testing, and so leave. Day five sees the arrival of Renault and the departure of McLaren. Day six is Williams, with Red Bull leaving. Toyota get their turn on day eight as Brawn depart. Day nine see Force India arrive and Renault go. Day ten is for Toro Rosso's premiere as Williams take their leave. Day eleven sees Toyota finish their program, day twelve means Force India goes, and Toro Rosso leve on the thirteenth day. Then, two weeks after Ferrari have had their turn, the four new teams debut on day fourteen. As they're new, they get five days of testing instead of three.

This sytem allows a mass unveiling, but it also affords each team a turn in the media spotlight, rather than having the McLaren party ruined as Fernando Alonso smashes the cirtcuit record or something. It keeps everything localised, and the teams can leave their non-essential equpiment at the circuit before retuning for the first race of the season.

#4 Mary Popsins

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 06:19

It will be a FOTA event but the teams will do their own livery day.

Hard to conceive that all the cars will be ready at the same time, and shame if that's the case because testing ban=to late to copy/paste.

#5 peroa

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 09:54

IMHO a very good idea. Launch all the cars at once. Testing doesn' start till February anyway so everybody should have at least 1 car ready for the 1st week in February.

#6 KWSN - DSM

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 10:09

I could not care less about the launch of a car.

The teams can spend untold millions, or they can spend zero. The launch of a car is mostly completely meaningless, the teams can go about testing / sandbagging / run underweight as much as they want.

Come start of season, what count is how the cars perform on track.

We know that Ferrari will be red, we know that McLaren are 3 levels better than any other team in making a visual appearance out of which ever sponsors they have.

All the other teams will be varying degrees of 'not bad', 'pretty good', 'hideous', 'what were they thinking'.

:cool:

#7 potmotr

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 10:27

Not a bad idea, but only if the fans get access.

It should be a two day affair.

Hold the actual launch at a big venue, and give fans the chance to come watch the unveilings.

Each car gets revealed from under a sheet one by one then all the teams do their media stuff.

Would be a busy day for the Press I guess, but big deal.

Then on day two, all the new cars should be taken to a circuit where they'd do a lap alone, then a lap behind a camera car, then a lap at the end with a full grid, which will then do a lap for the camera car.

Photographs taken from that camera car on the circuit by a Formula 1 pool photographer and distributed for free.

Only problem I could see is teams who are late in completing their machine.

Would be good to have the big mega launch in mid-January somewhere IMO.


#8 Jackmancer

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 10:30

The FOTA is good but teams should still be individual I think.

A bit more rivalry between teams wouldn't hurt, I'd like to see real war :rotfl:
The way it's going is like, this will be the FOTA group photo of 2012:
Posted Image

Edited by Jackmancer, 05 October 2009 - 10:31.


#9 Captain Tightpants

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 11:25

Not a bad idea, but only if the fans get access.

It should be a two day affair.

Hold the actual launch at a big venue, and give fans the chance to come watch the unveilings.

Each car gets revealed from under a sheet one by one then all the teams do their media stuff.

Would be a busy day for the Press I guess, but big deal.

Then on day two, all the new cars should be taken to a circuit where they'd do a lap alone, then a lap behind a camera car, then a lap at the end with a full grid, which will then do a lap for the camera car.

Photographs taken from that camera car on the circuit by a Formula 1 pool photographer and distributed for free.

Only problem I could see is teams who are late in completing their machine.

Would be good to have the big mega launch in mid-January somewhere IMO.

If that's the case, it shouldn't be done at a circuit. Take the spectale to the fans; don't make the fans come to the spectale. Something like the Renault Roadshow, or when they did a special lap in London. Just something simple, like what McLaren did in Valencia a few years back: start in Paris, have them go down the Champs-Élysées, do a loop around the Arc d'Triomphe and return. And do it at dusk, just for the atmosphere.


#10 Burgess

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 11:46

Meh, not really bothered.

#11 One

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 12:02

I guess it is a great idea. Justimagine the way it may attracts the media and so on. Most non F1 fans and Journo will no bother putting photo's of launch, but now witht his in mind all cars will get chances to publish on locak news papers and make their sponsors happy. It is interesting that the car perfprmance,.... may get somehow equalized.... er... no...

#12 FonzCam

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 12:06

The FOTA is good but teams should still be individual I think.

A bit more rivalry between teams wouldn't hurt, I'd like to see real war :rotfl:
The way it's going is like, this will be the FOTA group photo of 2012:
Posted Image

Fixed that for you

#13 DOF_power

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 12:07

It won't do anything for the auto racing, so I don't give a ****.

#14 Jackmancer

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 12:12

Fixed that for you

Great :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
That's exactly what I had in mind :rotfl:

#15 r4mses

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 12:32

If that's the case, it shouldn't be done at a circuit. Take the spectale to the fans; don't make the fans come to the spectale. Something like the Renault Roadshow, or when they did a special lap in London. Just something simple, like what McLaren did in Valencia a few years back: start in Paris, have them go down the Champs-Élysées, do a loop around the Arc d'Triomphe and return. And do it at dusk, just for the atmosphere.


Sounds exciting, but I imagine that'd be quite expensive.
Anyone knows how much ASO pays for the Tour de France final in Paris each year? ^^

Edited by r4mses, 05 October 2009 - 12:33.


#16 JPW

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 12:38

Sounds exciting, but I imagine that'd be quite expensive.
Anyone knows how much ASO pays for the Tour de France final in Paris each year? ^^

I think you'll find it's the other way around, cities usually pay ASO to include their city in the Tour schedule.

#17 Buttoneer

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 12:59

I like the idea of a one-off launch but all the periods of no launches and no tests will mean we'll just get continual rehashes of Jerez '97, Suzuka '89 and Hungary '07 instead. I vote for separate launches for the sake of my sanity.

#18 potmotr

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 16:54

If that's the case, it shouldn't be done at a circuit. Take the spectale to the fans; don't make the fans come to the spectale. Something like the Renault Roadshow, or when they did a special lap in London. Just something simple, like what McLaren did in Valencia a few years back: start in Paris, have them go down the Champs-Élysées, do a loop around the Arc d'Triomphe and return. And do it at dusk, just for the atmosphere.


The Paris idea sounds quite good.

Alternatively, just do the launch at one track as a one afternoon on, say, a Sunday in January.

For instance, do it at Barcelona but make sure it has a TV show to go with it.

Each car comes out, each of the key players is interviewed, then the car does a lap of the track before returning to the garage.

Next team does it, in reverse order of course, so champions come last.

Then, right at the end, have some mega presser with all 20-whatever drivers, conducted in a fun way.

Could be great TV.

Remember Clive James season preview from 1997 with the full field bar the Schumachers?

Was really fun. The quality of the clip is crap, but you get the picture.


Edited by potmotr, 05 October 2009 - 16:56.


#19 pRy

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 17:16

They should stream it for free too. Make use of some of this nifty technology they keep saying needs to be brought into F1.

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#20 Owen

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 20:49

There's a logic to this if cost saving is an issue. So yes, I guess it's a good idea.

From my own selfish point of view though, I enjoy seeing and comparing the launches and having them spread out livens up those dull winter months quite nicely.

#21 potmotr

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Posted 05 October 2009 - 22:20

From my own selfish point of view though, I enjoy seeing and comparing the launches and having them spread out livens up those dull winter months quite nicely.


That's true.

I can't see all the teams rolling them out at once.

I say they should release the cars whenever they're completed and do a bit of media.

But certainly have one big televised show before the season starts, in the (00s) style of that Clive James thing above.

#22 V8 Fireworks

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Posted 06 October 2009 - 05:16

IMHO a very good idea. Launch all the cars at once. Testing doesn' start till February anyway so everybody should have at least 1 car ready for the 1st week in February.

And Ferrari gets worldwide media coverage, McLaren gets a 5 sec video/one paragrah and there is no coverage at all for Williams, Red Bull, Toyota etc.... How does that work effectively for non-Ferrari sponsors :confused: :confused: :confused:

#23 Captain Tightpants

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Posted 06 October 2009 - 06:09

Alternatively, just do the launch at one track as a one afternoon on, say, a Sunday in January.

I'm against the idea of having it at a circuit because, well, we see the circuit during the races. And it's likely fans would have to pay to get in. For me, Formula One has always had that larger-than-life quality about it, like those old James Bond films where the villains hollow out volcanoes. I think Formula One should be as accessible as possible for fans, and that a mass car launch should be against a backdrop befitting of it. It could be like the Olympic Games, with cities contending for the rights to host the launch event with FOTA - not FOM, of course - voting on where the launch should take place. The problem is that it might get a little expensive if you're going the world over, but there's plenty of places it could be done that would look great:

Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo

Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed, Moscow

Champs-Élysées, Paris

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (not actually that far from the Valencia "street" circuit)

Trafalgar Square

You get the idea.

#24 ensign14

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Posted 06 October 2009 - 07:28

Why would teams do such a thing? Force India would be overlooked for the big boys. Yet if they get the car photographed in front of the Taj Mahal the racing headlines are theirs for a day.

#25 lustigson

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Posted 06 October 2009 - 09:14

Why would teams do such a thing? Force India would be overlooked for the big boys. Yet if they get the car photographed in front of the Taj Mahal the racing headlines are theirs for a day.

I think that's exactly why this won't happen: smaller teams and sponsors will be overshadowed by the big teams and sponsors, cause they're found the most interesting by press and fans.

#26 Ringo

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Posted 06 October 2009 - 09:29

John Howett reckons it could be on the cards next season, although he doesn't expect all the teams to sign up at first.

I think it is a good idea, especially if it is something that will be open to the fans. GPWeek says the idea is to open it to tender for cities, like the Olympics, and make it a big event similar to the DTM season launch. If that's the model, it'd be great.

#27 Clatter

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Posted 06 October 2009 - 09:32

I could not care less about the launch of a car.

The teams can spend untold millions, or they can spend zero. The launch of a car is mostly completely meaningless, the teams can go about testing / sandbagging / run underweight as much as they want.

Come start of season, what count is how the cars perform on track.

We know that Ferrari will be red, we know that McLaren are 3 levels better than any other team in making a visual appearance out of which ever sponsors they have.

All the other teams will be varying degrees of 'not bad', 'pretty good', 'hideous', 'what were they thinking'.

:cool:


:up:

#28 sprocket

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Posted 06 October 2009 - 09:46

From my own selfish point of view though, I enjoy seeing and comparing the launches and having them spread out livens up those dull winter months quite nicely.


:up:



#29 Jackmancer

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Posted 06 October 2009 - 09:51

I could not care less about the launch of a car.


I do love the launches, I put them on my calendar and look forward to them :p comparing last year looks with the new, comparing the looks (aero's) with other teams, looking for new sponsors etc, love it.

Anyway the winter is part of Formula 1, November - December is really boring but as soon as the launches and testing begin I'm happy again :stoned:

#30 potmotr

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Posted 06 October 2009 - 09:53

Why would teams do such a thing? Force India would be overlooked for the big boys. Yet if they get the car photographed in front of the Taj Mahal the racing headlines are theirs for a day.


If money is such a concern doing things collectively makes sense Comrade.

#31 Jackmancer

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Posted 06 October 2009 - 09:57

If money is such a concern doing things collectively makes sense Comrade.


A decent launch shouldn't cost to much. I'm not talking about inviting the Spice Girls or Pink like Mclaren and Red Bull but all you need is a board with sponsornames and a blanket. Oh, and some microphones, speakers and 2 dollar cake. Press will come anyway.

BTW, a F1 launch is good exposure for sponsors too.

#32 potmotr

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Posted 06 October 2009 - 10:00

A decent launch shouldn't cost to much. I'm not talking about inviting the Spice Girls or Pink like Mclaren and Red Bull but all you need is a board with sponsornames and a blanket. Oh, and some microphones, speakers and 2 dollar cake. Press will come anyway.

BTW, a F1 launch is good exposure for sponsors too.


If a collective F1 launch is done in a fair manner on one day then each sponsor will get value.

For instance, each team gets the same amount of time.

Worst performers go first, through to World Champions last.

And critically, it must be a televised event on a Sunday in the off season.

That way all sponsors will get equal time and no one will get drowned out.



#33 coffeegrind

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Posted 02 December 2009 - 11:22

The teams are reported to be thinking of launching their cars at a single event - What do people think? Where? What sort of thing could we expect to see?
It would be awesome to see all the cars and drivers in one place!

#34 noikeee

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Posted 02 December 2009 - 11:26

I think it's crap, the winter season is too boring already, this way we'll have less 12 car launches to look forward to...

I'm also not sure it's good for the teams, because it'll get them less exposure than a dedicated event for a single team. I'm suspicious that the cost saving doesn't outweight the exposure loss.

Edited by paranoik0, 02 December 2009 - 11:29.


#35 Kucki

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Posted 02 December 2009 - 11:47

I think it's crap, the winter season is too boring already, this way we'll have less 12 car launches to look forward to...

I'm also not sure it's good for the teams, because it'll get them less exposure than a dedicated event for a single team. I'm suspicious that the cost saving doesn't outweight the exposure loss.



Totally agree. Lets hope FOTA drops this idea.

#36 Captain Tightpants

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Posted 02 December 2009 - 11:51

I think it's crap, the winter season is too boring already, this way we'll have less 12 car launches to look forward to...

That's only because the ban on testing is still in place. Wait for the New Year - things will start up then.

#37 coffeegrind

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Posted 02 December 2009 - 11:59

Sorry I didn't see this thread. There are lots of posts about media coverage but I only ever seem to see one or two stories about McL and Ferrari by a couple of the more weighty specialist journalists anyway. How much exposure do car launches get now? I bet a big show would mean it gets on TV though thats a good point about losing the news of a launch every two weeks though.

I love the idea of wandering around the cars and seeing all the drivers close up - Signatures, simulators, competitions - what would be really great is if in the future the drivers were all annouced together at this event

#38 WorldChampion

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Posted 02 December 2009 - 12:30

thats stupid

wonder what will sponsors say, they will definately be unpleased

#39 Sausage

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Posted 02 December 2009 - 15:08

Well they will hold launchevents anyway, people here saying they think it's pointless are being stupid. F1 teams need sponsors and such events brings attention to many companies from the media. They put some money in it but in the long term they get more back from it than from being an invisible squad.

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#40 coffeegrind

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Posted 08 December 2009 - 09:27

thats stupid

wonder what will sponsors say, they will definately be unpleased


Sponsors being unhappy? I don’t think so, there would be lots of opportunity or local activation-Hospitality, simulators competitions etc. Also, I can’t remember any team other than Ferrari or the team who won the last WC getting any coverage… and even then it was pretty sparse outside the specialist press.

In terms of media coverage I’d guess it won’t change anything in the specialist press-Those who have a story will get good (or bad) coverage, those who don’t will get some perfunctory coverage.

it would be awesome to see a season launch issue of Autosport though with all the cars compared and contrasted.


#41 One

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Posted 08 December 2009 - 09:38




:clap: :clap: :clap:


:smoking: :smoking:


7:30 sec...

Fisichella thingy was also very funny...

#42 One

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Posted 08 December 2009 - 09:45

The teams can spend untold millions, or they can spend zero.


:cool:



The launch os for the sponsors and the teams should better give them a chance to enjoy their exposure, glossy magazine, gossips TV and Radio, dedicated DVD-BlueRay for sell, and all that. The central organization of such should suit the opportunity giving bigger impact and after all the show can be just once in stead of many, teams and engineers can openly look at the competitor's car and so on, could be exciting 1 hour.


Longer show? No... :cool:

#43 Timstr11

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Posted 10 December 2009 - 09:53

Group team presentations likely to be at The City of Arts and Sciences, http://www.cac.es/, in Valencia on 30 January.

Edited by Timstr11, 10 December 2009 - 09:53.


#44 David1976

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Posted 10 December 2009 - 11:33

If what is reported turns out to be true it sounds like a very sensible plan. For once we will be able to compare the cars back to back. I am sure this will reduce journalist costs, team costs, venue costs amongst anything else. It sounds like it could be a real event.

I guess Autosport will not be too pleased as they will need one bumper issue to cover the details of the new cars as opposed to spreading coverage over 3-4 issues!!

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/80509


#45 thuGG

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Posted 10 December 2009 - 11:41

I don't like this idea, I understand it, but I don't like it. It was more fun in boring off season to see multiple launches, every one was pretty exciting and now we just get only one launch.

#46 dabrasco

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Posted 10 December 2009 - 11:46

I think its fine.... there is no harm in trying it atleast for one year

It will be a lot to cover...but I like the idea of having one huge media circus to kickstart the season.... instead of many small ones

#47 Clatter

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Posted 10 December 2009 - 11:50

It's all discussed here. http://forums.autosp...w...7&hl=launch

#48 clipper

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Posted 10 December 2009 - 11:50

Hopefully the journalists can catch out some of the other teams reactions like "why didn't we think of that!?"

but I'm guessing that the cars will be launched much in the way ferrari has in the past with standardised parts on the car, with the real 2010 stuff like front, rear wings making their appearance during the testing of the new cars.

#49 dank

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Posted 10 December 2009 - 11:51

Poor ol' Giorgio Piola will have his work cut out next year!

#50 Owen

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Posted 10 December 2009 - 11:56

Not good for Autosport's quieter winter month circulation figures...