Heist:
" I on the other hand am a purist and want evolution and technical innovation."
This is precisely what I want. This is what I mean, by the "show" ... I don't want F1 to be an ugly spec racing series. I want beautiful machines with all kinds of shapes and technologies (a la the LeMan's prototype series).
You can cost contain the series, without hindering performance by allowing teams to explore further and loosening regulations on a number of things not related to engine size, tranny, tire, and safety equipment. That should be the 4 hard fast rules. Outside of that, set a hard cap on spending - impose luxury taxes for teams that go over the cap (just like how the Yankees pay every year, but they don't WIN every year) and engineers get creative again.
Lately engineers aren't engineering to maximize performance and innovate - they're increasingly finding themselves engineering to fit within some pretty silly constraints.
Do you know Mclaren spent $10MM just to get another .10th of a second
out of the car for the last race. Simple and cheaper solutions were
available, but the regulationsprevented it.
There was a time when F1 technology was used as a testbed for tech that would filter down to passenger cars. That hasn't really happened in 15 years. Sad.
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...the only thing stopping you, is you!
+1 Heist. I think that they must somehow allow technological innovation to keep the essence of the F1 world going. If it becomes just another spectacular racing series, like NASCAR, than i consider the original F1 dead.
They must find a way to keep the essence of F1 racing such that cars will always be faster and whatnot without hindering too much of the innovation. As you said, the sadest thing has been seeing engineers design to comply with regulations rather than finding a faster way in a field. Giving freedom will trigger whole new materials and ways to race, and that by itself is super interesting. I don't care if all cars go 500km/h and the only way to pass is in the pits with strategy!! This is just as fun. Why would we still have Monaco then? They have no passing...
anyways, it's sad to see such random regulations every year because it feels like they are not thought through at all.. is it all about making it more interesting to watch? Why so many regulations that end up being non effective...
Costs should have to go down, but how about capping a teams budget with MINOR regulation!! That to me would be interesting. You each have $80MM a year.. GO!
Also the ruling F1 body could shed some profit and spread it to keep F1 F1. very sad times...
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2005 Ford Focus S, 5spd
1986 Porsche 944, 5spd