48 replies to this topic

[emmanuelrubi]

Based on the current state of the F1 today, in your opinion, which team will disappear first from the grid?

Edited by emmanuelrubi, 21 May 2014 - 20:48.

[MaxisOne]

The Team physically may not disappear from the grid but i have  feeling Caterham's owner is feeling pretty annoyed right now at the non progress.  So they may be first.

[emmanuelrubi]

The Team physically may not disappear from the grid but i have  feeling Caterham's owner is feeling pretty annoyed right now at the non progress.  So they may be first.

 

Thats right, he said in an interview that if things don't change for Caterham he will sell the team, IMO they might be the first to be gone, but Lotus also is on a very delicate state if the rumors are true that Venezuela will stop sponsoring motorsports (I mean the whole Venezuelan government not just the ministry of sports) we might see Pastor Maldonado gone and if that happens Lotus will need to find a new pay driver (I.E. Charles Pic) that can support the team.

[Anderis]

I also feel Caterham is the most likely candidate to disappear from the grid. But you never know with new teams like Haas. Marussia also went into a big debt over the last couple of years and they seem unlikely to start making profits anytime soon.

 

Williams shouldn't be even included in the poll. I'm sure they'll remain in F1 longer than Mercedes for example.

[demet06]

Where's Red Bull in this poll? Haven't they threatened to pull the plug because they don't like the new regs?

[Kingshark]

Gatorham will be the first IMO.

[FullThrottleF1]

Tony Fernandes has had enough, Autosport learned last week that he was in talks to sell it, I expect Abu Dhabi will be the last time we'll see a Caterham on the grid.

[DutchQuicksilver]

Thats right, he said in an interview that if things don't change for Caterham he will sell the team, IMO they might be the first to be gone, but Lotus also is on a very delicate state if the rumors are true that Venezuela will stop sponsoring motorsports (I mean the whole Venezuelan government not just the ministry of sports) we might see Pastor Maldonado gone and if that happens Lotus will need to find a new pay driver (I.E. Charles Pic) that can support the team.

Pic is sponsored by Total isn't he? They already back Lotus with Grosjean so that won't do. Unless Grosjean leaves and Pic takes his place, but that won't improve finances as Total would just stay.

[TomNokoe]

Worried for Sauber. Always liked them.

[ballow]

Why do you have Williams in that list  

[emmanuelrubi]

Why do you have Williams in that list

 

My bad, sorry.

[Spillage]

Gonna be Caterham, I think. Tony Fernandes said at the start of the year that if they weren't in the midfield this season he'd give it up as a bad job. They're not, so one has to assume there'll be no Caterham next year. I expect to see each of the others on the grid next year, with the possible exception of Lotus with their appalling financial situation. They might at least have the potential to attract some investment however.

[halifaxf1fan]

Mercedes is always just a PR decision and a quick board meeting away from leaving. 

[turssi]

I voted Caterham, but if someone comes looking for a team to buy I would guess that some other team would be given priority on the shopping list order.

Don't know of any buyers though, hence the vote.

[Wingcommander]

I also feel Caterham is the most likely candidate to disappear from the grid. But you never know with new teams like Haas. Marussia also went into a big debt over the last couple of years and they seem unlikely to start making profits anytime soon.

 

Williams shouldn't be even included in the poll. I'm sure they'll remain in F1 longer than Mercedes for example.

 

I think most of Marussia's debt (which was to the shareholders) was cleared last year. Although they have probably piled on new debt already. I hard to say what Marussia's russian owners think when I don't think they have ever been interviewed. They could pull the plug, they could try and sell team, they could just go on...who knows. The situation at Caterham is much more clear. Either the team is sold or they won't be around next year. I just hope that no one drops out before the season ends.

[Jimisgod]

1. Caterham
2. Lotus (sold not fold)
3. Sauber

[seahawk]

Caterham, Haas, Sauber, Lotus, Marussia

 

doubt over FI and RBR/TR

[apoka]

Mercedes after 2015 due to lack of motivation and nothing more to achieve after two years of total domination. As a first sign of this, we will see them regularly skipping FPs and Q since they found that they can still comfortable beat/lap everyone starting from the pitlane and save money this way. Moreover, after a heavy conflict between Rosberg and Hamilton, the Daimler board decided that they will alternate race wins with no fight on the track and the WDC winner will only be decided in the last race in which they are allowed to race freely.

[pdac]

I voted Caterham, but if someone comes looking for a team to buy I would guess that some other team would be given priority on the shopping list order.

Don't know of any buyers though, hence the vote.

 

Where's Stefan GP when you need them?

[Jon83]

These teams have all been about to disappear for years now and somehow, they are still here.

 

My guess would be Caterham for the reasons other posters have mentioned but no idea. I hope they all survive.

[MrMan]

What Fernandez actually said was; should Caterham not score a point this year he would have to sell the team. He said this in the pre-season Caterham special on Sky Sports F1.

 

It'd be a shame to see them go, I quite like this current crop of backmarkers.

[superden]

Caterham, in its current form. I still question whether Haas will even make an appearance.

[ch103]

I voted for Marussia as I believe that Caterham and Marussia will be merged into a new entity altogether.  Since Caterham actually has a roadcar division I think they will keep the name in F1.  

[charly0418]

Pretty sure it'll be Sauber. They barely made it this year and without Gutierrez sponsorship next year they will be gone

[turssi]

I voted for Marussia as I believe that Caterham and Marussia will be merged into a new entity altogether.  Since Caterham actually has a roadcar division I think they will keep the name in F1.  

 

Who would be the owner (and main funder)? We had those rumours about a merger and now Fernandez is wanting to sell, so it could well be. But Marussia the car company folded, right? And Caterham would only be a sponsor? Keeping the name makes sense for them to keep the FIA money coming in. But still there is a need for a money man.

[emmanuelrubi]

So after today result... Caterham maybe ?

[garagetinkerer]

So after today result... Caterham maybe ?

Not may be, i read somewhere (can't remember where) that Caterham may be sold...

 

edit: i guess this ought to be pretty reliable.

http://uk.reuters.co...N0E50DU20140525

Edited by garagetinkerer, 26 May 2014 - 05:18.

[slideways]

Caterham and I would not even notice.

[Jackmancer]

I feel sorry for Robin Frijns. 

[Cyanide]

Marussia's first points score is like the twisting of the knife in Caterham. They're pretty much done. 

[mgs315]

Aye. Combine that with QPR back in the Premier League and Tony has a more fun toy for a year.

[Kristian]

Caterham. I think Marussia scoring points yesterday will be the final nail in the coffin for them. 

 

Also with QPR back in the EPL (with massive financial questions over their head) I think Fernandes will prioritise them. 

Edited by Kristian, 26 May 2014 - 09:18.

[midgrid]

Caterham is up for sale (the whole group, not just the F1 team).

 

Marussia made a net loss of $228.6 million from entering the sport to the end of 2012.  (Interestingly enough, Caterham made a profit in 2012!)

[FullThrottleF1]

Who would want to buy Caterham though? Its hardly Enstone is it?

[sv401]

Where's Red Bull in this poll? Haven't they threatened to pull the plug because they don't like the new regs?

 

By the way, what happens if Renault quits due to the high costs, lack of results, and possibly losing customers from the lower end of the grid ? It is not like Mercedes or Ferrari would want to supply engines to a potential championship rival.

[FullThrottleF1]

There is always Cosworth...

[ensign14]

Mercedes is always just a PR decision and a quick board meeting away from leaving. 

 

The Mercedes team has been on the grid since 1968, as a manufacturer since 1970.  So even if Mercedes withdraws they'll find some way to continue.

[midgrid]

Who would want to buy Caterham though? Its hardly Enstone is it?

I'm sure that Forza Rossa will be looking for a base, although Kolles will want to wait until that asking price gets knocked down.

[FullThrottleF1]

Considering that much better teams like Jaguar and Honda were sold for £1 pound, 350 million does seem a little steep ;-)

[Jejking]

Sauber will stay on, they have some good resources. What is Haas doing in the poll when they are not even in F1 yet? :S FI is going quite strongly, they will stick around too. Caterham will be the first one to go, yesterday was a freak result but those ones have the most impact always! Just like Jordan finished off Minardi in 2005 after the US GP. Minardi could never get that back. Caterham will likely go down the same path, only Kobayashi might have a chance to get another point but will have Bianchi to deal with. Mission highly unlikely.

[Jezick67]

1. Caterham - Fernándes lost interest long before this year!
2. Lotus - but at least the site & remaining peeps will find a home with a buyer.
3. FI - empire is crumbling/has crumbled around VJ's ears... When it comes to his own money he'll bail

Edited by Jezick67, 26 May 2014 - 23:48.

[aguri]

Caterham, Lotus and Cosworth should enter a strategic partnership. They both become Cosworth works teams, share certain facilities like the lotus upgraded wind tunnel.

 

Going forward Lotus and Caterham make strategic decisions regarding their production car ranges to reduce/eliminate competition between the two. Both companies feature a 1.5L Turbo Hybrid 'derived from F1 engine' in their premier models. 

[zold]

Sauber has always had ups and downs, but they've hung on somehow. I don't think they'll go anywhere yet.

I can't see 'Enstone' going anywhere either, the owners may well change but the core of the team would be much more attractive to buyers than Caterham, for example.

I'm not sure Cosworth has any money at the moment, can't see them back on the grid.

[lustigson]

Caterham, Lotus and Cosworth should enter a strategic partnership. They both become Cosworth works teams, share certain facilities like the lotus upgraded wind tunnel.

 

Going forward Lotus and Caterham make strategic decisions regarding their production car ranges to reduce/eliminate competition between the two. Both companies feature a 1.5L Turbo Hybrid 'derived from F1 engine' in their premier models. 

 

Great idea.

 

But who will come up with the money, I ask. :-)

[chipmcdonald]

Caterham for obvious reasons, but Marussia can't be around much longer with no sponsors, either.

 

F1 has really evolved into an Australian's nightmare of a non-sustainable entertainment device.

[metz]

When the lights go out, it's always Mercedes that disappears from the grid....

[aguri]

Great idea.

 

But who will come up with the money, I ask. :-)

 

I'll pass the hat around next sunday when my friends come over for the race. Hopefully we'll have enough change to hire some proper drivers so we don't have to cover pastors damage bill.

 

I'm thinking Hulkenberg, Grosjean in the Lotus. Verstappen and Kobayashi in the Caterham. Imagine the team mate battles 

[windoesnot]

Caterham for me.

 

The following doesnt help them:

 

Cash strapped already

Renault engines

Marussia scoring points in Monaco

Showing no signs of improvement since they started

Tony's patience wearing very thin

QPR promoted to the Premier League (could take up Tony's focus more than before)

 

Hopefully they could find a buyer before its too late.

[Burtros]

In football, Fernandes is a laughing stock because of whats happened at QPR since he took over (they wasted a fortune and were relegated at the end of 2013) He's seen a a bit of a joke owner by a lot of people.

 

Many of them dont know he has also owned an F1 team that has been truly hopeless.