What does the future hold for F1?

[Sureboss]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7657298.stm

With the current global financial crisis, Max Mosley is concerned about the future of the expensive F1. So just how concerned should we be?

 

[Danoff]

Very, but it has nothing to do with anything Mosely is concerned about. With the direction the FIA is taking the sport, I say let it die.

 

[Tired Tyres]

It's weathered financial storms before. It will survive. It always does.

 

[Dougboy]

Max Mosley is concerned about the future of the expensive F1.

Max might be concerned about F1 but i think fans are more concerned about Max himself and the FIA in general

 

[SouL]

I don't think we'd be short of funding for smaller teams if tobacco were still allowed to sponsor.

 

[Pupik]

There was a bit of a world-wide recession in 1991, and a lot of people claimed the future of F1 might be short. Pundits pointed to the 20 F1 teams in 1989, and by 1992 there were just 13. Sponsors and manufacturers might cut back, but the strong and wealthy will remain or enter the sport. The FIA cannot effectively, and honestly, should not make plans to curb team costs, no matter what attempt they trumpet.

Customer cars may return, three-car teams might be seen to fill the grids, and essentially spec-engine might appear...who knows? Somewhere in the world, people will have money to spend on a dream, whether its fielding a team, sponsoring it, or just buying a ticket to the race.

Look at other team sports...do you think they are cutting back on player salaries and other luxuries? 80-90% of the teams will not, since they are already successful in their own right, and sports franchise is a toy to play with and show off. If it's a terrific money-loser, then they sell it, and always find a buyer. With revenue-sharing schemes and player unions, many teams and sports do not even have such issues.

Max Mosley has his own issues.

 

[Open Addict]

I don't think we'd be short of funding for smaller teams if tobacco were still allowed to sponsor.

I wonder if tobacco companies have thought of bringing out a product under a different name but finnancially backed by them, Would they be able to do this?

e.g. Benson & Hedges sister company Kidz Seatz. Kidz Seatz would then sponsor the car and B & H would finnancially back Kidz Seatz.

 

[TheCracker]

I can't see F1 folding. Motorsport is something done by the very wealthy and world financial hardship will barely effect the pockets of the ultra wealthy. Motorsport has to have a pinnacle, something for the best drivers to aim for, and that will always be F1. We may get to a stage where manufacturers begin to drop out, but their places will always be taken by privateer teams. It might be that heavy cost-cutting regulations are brought in, but well always have F1 in some shape or form.

I wonder if tobacco companies have thought of bringing out a product under a different name but finnancially backed by them, Would they be able to do this?

e.g. Benson & Hedges sister company Kidz Seatz. Kidz Seatz would then sponsor the car and B & H would finnancially back Kidz Seatz.

Tobacco companies don't want to just chuck money away. They advertise to get their product in the public eye. B&H won't sell many cigs by advertising kiddies car seats or what ever.