27 replies to this topic

[FullThrottleF1]

AMUS reporting these teams could collapse at any point. This apparently led to panic in the Paddock during the Monaco GP weekend with paddock whispers of customer cars.

 

Sad times for F1

[GoldenColt]

Bringt a 3rd car and all problems will be solved. 

[Atreiu]

It's not that I want them to fold. I definitely don't.

But what if that's the straw that will bring about real change and improvement?

[FullThrottleF1]

.

Edited by FullThrottleF1, 29 May 2015 - 14:38.

[Jon83]

Wow - that's a real shock!

Edited by Jon83, 29 May 2015 - 14:51.

[Kristian]

I'm not surprised. I'm amazed they are still there given how little sponsorship is on the cars and the costs of the engines. 

 

Its going to be a rough summer, I fear. 

[stewie]

Meanwhile, bears really do poo in the woods.

[Fastcake]

"Imminent" collapse? That would be very, very worrying. We know they all have various financial problems, and have been in danger of bankruptcy for some time now, but this implies we could be seeing teams withdrawing by the summer break. Worrying times.

[Anja]

It's not that I want them to fold. I definitely don't.

But what if that's the straw that will bring about real change and improvement?

 

Exactly. I don't think any proper change is possible without some earthquake happening first.

[Spillage]

It's not that I want them to fold. I definitely don't.

But what if that's the straw that will bring about real change and improvement?

It won't be. It'll be the straw that brings about three-car teams and customer cars. It'll ruin F1.

[SophieB]

AMUS reporting these teams could collapse at any point. This apparently led to panic in the Paddock during the Monaco GP weekend with paddock whispers of customer cars.
 
Sad times for F1

Do you have a link?

[Nonesuch]

When was the last time this wasn't the case?

 

Sauber seems to have fallen the furthest in this regard, but Lotus, Force India and especially Manor have been said to be in dire straits for the better part of two years now.

[Bloggsworth]

It won't be. It'll be the straw that brings about three-car teams and customer cars. It'll ruin F1.

 

There were customer cars in the 50s, 60s, and 70s and they were winning races in the hands of Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart and Jo Siffert...

[hittheapex]

I predict it will play out something like this:

 

1. We lose at least 2 of those teams. Customer cars/3rd cars introduced.

2. One or more of the big teams (manufacturer teams and Red Bull), leave, fed up of being locked not just out of positions 1 and 2, but the entire podium. May also decide the marketing benefits from F1 have run their course after several years and they can get good results for a lot less money in DTM or elsewhere (as BMW did).

3. Back to a small grid. F1 either collapses and restarts under a different name, or we get the financial reform that should have been sorted out before point 1.

[george1981]

It's sad to say but it's hardly news. These teams have well documented issues with cash flow and have been living hand to mouth for some time.

The loss of one team would have a detrimental affect on the remaining teams with issues. Suppliers would want to be paid up front, sponsors get more skittish etc.

In my opinion Bernie needs to quietly spread some cash around to help them survive. Even if he ultimately wants to bring in customer cars or B teams F1 can't stand the bad publicity at the moment.

[Jimisgod]

Manor will die and the rest will be saved by some Bernie-cash until he engineers some contingency. Don't all the race contracts guarantee a minimum of 16 or 18 cars?

[george1981]

Manor will die and the rest will be saved by some Bernie-cash until he engineers some contingency. Don't all the race contracts guarantee a minimum of 16 or 18 cars?

Do you know how the constructors money is distributed? I had a feeling it was dished out at various points throughout the season. Rather than one big lump at the beginning.

If so Manor might trickle on this season surviving between payments.

[Spillage]

There were customer cars in the 50s, 60s, and 70s and they were winning races in the hands of Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart and Jo Siffert...

True, but that was an awfully long time ago! Look at MotoGP nowadays - customer bikes, and consequently only three teams with a cat in hell's chance of ever winning anything. I'd also add that no customer team in F1 has ever really come close to a title. With the sport so expensive nowadays, smaller teams could never hope to mount a challenge.

[Fisico54]

Don't believe it myself, I was in Monaco and spoke to Lowdon and he seemed very relaxed and commented what a good weekend they had on and off the track.

For Manor they have no debts and are in the process of buying a base and hiring lots of personnel so it would be strange.

In my opinion it's either a made up rumour or posturing by the independents

[FullThrottleF1]

Perhaps to get more money from Bernie?

[ninetyzero]

This isn't news. It's been known for a while that the only teams on a sound financial footing are Mercedes, Ferrari, Mclaren, Red Bull and STR. Not sure about Williams. I am sure that FIA/FOM's business model is broken.

[goingthedistance]

AMUS reporting these teams could collapse at any point. This apparently led to panic in the Paddock during the Monaco GP weekend with paddock whispers of customer cars.

 

Sad times for F1

 

Link?

[charly0418]

I just checked AMUS and theres nothing on this

[FLB]

I just checked AMUS and theres nothing on this

Auf Deutsch:

 

http://www.auto-moto...hr-9605434.html

[Baddoer]

Force India going to be Honda's pet team, Lotus to be bought by Renault and Sauber will have free Ferrari engines to be traded for Nasr. Everyone is safe.

[charly0418]

Imagine if Force India close shop 2/3 weeks before the Mexican GP.

 

[blackhand2010]

Manor will die and the rest will be saved by some Bernie-cash until he engineers some contingency. Don't all the race contracts guarantee a minimum of 16 or 18 cars?

 

Out of the teams mentioned, I think Manor are probably the least likely to bite the bullet.

They have little debt, have no pretension to be anything other than a back marker right now (so little in the way of development costs), and are cruising to collect the constructor money from last year.

 

Sauber, Lotus, and Force India on the other hand...

[DutchQuicksilver]

True, but that was an awfully long time ago! Look at MotoGP nowadays - customer bikes, and consequently only three teams with a cat in hell's chance of ever winning anything. I'd also add that no customer team in F1 has ever really come close to a title. With the sport so expensive nowadays, smaller teams could never hope to mount a challenge.

Isn't that the case in practically every team sport? It's just common logic.