107 replies to this topic

[Risil]

It'll probably all depend on what happens in the car market. If the trend towards pure EVs continues and manufacturers insist on seeking a connection between F1 racing and street cars, then F1's future doesn't look great as the road relevant series would be FE and F1 would find itself in no-man's land. They could continue with hybrids, betting that they are the future, or, also, if that becomes a trend in automobile mobility, explore hydrogen. But it'll probably be a while until you can race safely with hydrogen (honestly don't know).

I don't see how anyone could stop F1 -- or rather, the racing series currently known as F1 by agreement with the FIA -- from adopting EVs if it wanted to.

[Gravelngrass]

I don't see how anyone could stop F1 -- or rather, the racing series currently known as F1 by agreement with the FIA -- from adopting EVs if it wanted to.

Me neither (unless the regulators have limited spots assigned to different formulas based on motorization, i.e. there can only be one official electric open wheel series). But also, what would be the point if you already have FE? Unless you want to start a competing series which would be fine I guess. However, most of all, I think an electric F1 would be like an oxymoron. I mean, there’s already so much opposition to the hybrid formula we have now, I would think fans would lose interest if it was to become 100% electric. Then again, seeing who a lot of today’s F1 fans are, I can’t be sure of anything. Bottom line, I think, there’s demand out there for an ICE formula of the characteristics I described and, F1 or not, I believe it may be coming in some form or other.

Edited by Gravelngrass, 13 December 2024 - 15:56.

[pdac]

Me neither (unless the regulators have spots assigned to different formulas based on motorization, i.e. there can only be one official electric open wheel series). But also, what would be the point if you already have FE? Unless you want to start a competing series which would be fine I guess. However, most of all, I think an electric F1 would be like an oxymoron. I mean, there’s already so much opposition to the hybrid formula we have now, I would think fans would lose interest if it was to become 100% electric. Then again, seeing who a lot of today’s F1 fans are, I can’t be sure of anything. Bottom line, I think, there’s demand out there for an ICE formula of the characteristics I described and, F1 or not, I believe it may be coming in some form or other.

 

You talk like all current fans would give up and, moreover, there would be no new fans. What current fans (or, rather, the vocal majority of current fans) want is really not something to use to set your future in stone.

[Risil]

Me neither (unless the regulators have limited spots assigned to different formulas based on motorization, i.e. there can only be one official electric open wheel series). But also, what would be the point if you already have FE? Unless you want to start a competing series which would be fine I guess. However, most of all, I think an electric F1 would be like an oxymoron. I mean, there’s already so much opposition to the hybrid formula we have now, I would think fans would lose interest if it was to become 100% electric. Then again, seeing who a lot of today’s F1 fans are, I can’t be sure of anything. Bottom line, I think, there’s demand out there for an ICE formula of the characteristics I described and, F1 or not, I believe it may be coming in some form or other.

Perhaps. I have my doubts that F1 will see its future in cutting itself off from mainstream motoring but I don't think any of us can predict the future. It's probably in F1's interest not to try and plan too far ahead.

 

But that wasn't really my point, my point is that I can't see how Formula E could enforce a monopoly on electric vehicle racing and constrain its bigger, richer and more popular rival from acting in its own self-interest.

[Gravelngrass]

You talk like all current fans would give up and, moreover, there would be no new fans. What current fans (or, rather, the vocal majority of current fans) want is really not something to use to set your future in stone.

If you read carefully, you’ll notice I acknowledge that.

[Gravelngrass]

Perhaps. I have my doubts that F1 will see its future in cutting itself off from mainstream motoring but I don't think any of us can predict the future. It's probably in F1's interest not to try and plan too far ahead.

But that wasn't really my point, my point is that I can't see how Formula E could enforce a monopoly on electric vehicle racing and constrain its bigger, richer and more popular rival from acting in its own self-interest.

Yes, and it was my point that perhaps the regulating body has some limits on the number of “official” series for electric motorization. So it wouldn’t be FE itself constraining it but FIA. Of course, given the strength of the F1 brand, they could make them change that or, if it comes to it, start their independent series outside of FIA ( although that would be more difficult). But yeah, and as said before, this is entirely my impression, an electric F1 would go against its DNA and could run the risk of losing the older, more hardcore fans of the category. Is that something that would matter to F1 in business terms or otherwise? I don’t know. Would there be a market for F1 as a purely racing series with ICEs? I don’t know either, but surely hope there would…

Edited by Gravelngrass, 13 December 2024 - 16:52.

[Nathan]

It's almost as if manufacturers will leave as soon as something doesn't make any commercial sense. F1 doesn't understand this yet

What should they do about it today?  For anyone with the funds to go F1 racing in 2025+ it is going to be a commercial proposition.  As it was with John The Team Owner when he read the fax saying his main sponsor is going to try tennis commercials instead.

[Nathan]

my point is that I can't see how Formula E could enforce a monopoly on electric vehicle racing

 

They don't have this.  What they have is exclusivity on the 'World Championship' title awarded by the FIA to EV only race cars.

 

Start an Risil EV World Championship (I'd love to see the FIA defend their right as exclusive grantors of that status).