Official F1 headed to Cosworth Spec Engines... RIP F1

[Gregster]

It's official F1 will be using a spec motor for 2010

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/cosworth-wins-fia-standard-engine-tender-for-2010/

onda's departure from Formula One (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/officially-official-honda-exits-f1-before-2009-season/) came down to a singular factor: cost. The amount of cash required to campaign a team (or two) in the top tier of open-wheel motorsports has been on an upwards trajectory for as long as we can remember, and combined with the current economic downturn, it was just a matter of time before a manufacturer questioned whether or not it was worth the expense. That's a tough pill for enthusiasts to swallow considering all the knowledge gleaned from F1 -- not to mention WRC.

However, in an attempt to get costs in check, the FIA announced earlier this year that it would pursue a tender to supply an engine and transmission package to teams for the 2010 season and beyond. F1's governing body announced today that Cosworth has been tapped to provide the new "low-cost" drivetrain, that requires an up-front payment of 1.97 million Euros and then an additional 6.42 million Euros each season during the three-year contract. While 20+ million Euros might not seem like a bargain, it's a pittance compared to what automakers invest developing their own engine. If they opt out of the unbadged Cosworth engine, teams can use their own de-tuned version of the current 2.4-liter V8. Transmission choices are still up in the air, as Cosworth negotiates with Xtrac and Ricardo.

[johnmdanskin]

Wow. For only 8.5M euros, I could have a really really cool engine in mini! And theaintenance contract is only 6.5M euros. Hello 800hp at 19000 rpm!

[sebdavid]

BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Ferrari have all now caved and accepted the common engine and transmission proposition.

I know the engine and transmission are only a piece of the overall puzzle, but with Bridgestone as the only tire manufacturer and the emphasis on low costs not going away... how long before F1 becomes like NASCAR?

I'm not saying I wouldn't LIKE to see top-level drivers battling it out in extremely similar cars, but is that really the point of F1? The amazing level of technological refinement brought about by competition between manufacturers is a big part of F1 as we know it...

What do you guys think? Are you going to watch more WRC? If people stopped watching F1 and turn to WRC, I'd be delighted for the added exposure to that sport. But I doubt it. It's just not the same to be watching highlights of a race that has already happened, and I'm not even going to talk about actually attending the race... there's a reason why there is no WRC event in North America.

[bmwqc]

I thought only the independents (plus Renault) have embraced this plan so far.



BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Ferrari have all now caved and accepted the common engine and transmission proposition.

I know the engine and transmission are only a piece of the overall puzzle, but with Bridgestone as the only tire manufacturer and the emphasis on low costs not going away... how long before F1 becomes like NASCAR?

I'm not saying I wouldn't LIKE to see top-level drivers battling it out in extremely similar cars, but is that really the point of F1? The amazing level of technological refinement brought about by competition between manufacturers is a big part of F1 as we know it...

What do you guys think? Are you going to watch more WRC? If people stopped watching F1 and turn to WRC, I'd be delighted for the added exposure to that sport. But I doubt it. It's just not the same to be watching highlights of a race that has already happened, and I'm not even going to talk about actually attending the race... there's a reason why there is no WRC event in North America.

[Gregster]

BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Ferrari have all now caved and accepted the common engine and transmission proposition.

I know the engine and transmission are only a piece of the overall puzzle, but with Bridgestone as the only tire manufacturer and the emphasis on low costs not going away... how long before F1 becomes like NASCAR?

I'm not saying I wouldn't LIKE to see top-level drivers battling it out in extremely similar cars, but is that really the point of F1? The amazing level of technological refinement brought about by competition between manufacturers is a big part of F1 as we know it...

What do you guys think? Are you going to watch more WRC? If people stopped watching F1 and turn to WRC, I'd be delighted for the added exposure to that sport. But I doubt it. It's just not the same to be watching highlights of a race that has already happened, and I'm not even going to talk about actually attending the race... there's a reason why there is no WRC event in North America.


Honestly I can't sit down and watch a WRC race. It's not my thing...

The big teams will be still building their own engines but using the cosi specs.

[Andrei]

Endurace racing like ALMS seems more and more appealing.

I was watching Petit LeMans and is was totally badass. And the main LeMans event is even cooler.

The prototype cars sharing the track with GT cars is very cool. Driver changes, cars that at least remotely resemble something like cars we drive (or can dream of driving).

F1 only works if it's the pinnacle of motorsport. If there are no new things being invented due to overly restrictive formula then what is the point?

Yes, we do enjoy drivers display their skill but a big part of the excitement was the teams coming up with creative solutions to the problem of going faster. The bimbos and champagne was all secondary to that. I guess Max and Bernie hope that keeping the bimbos and champagne will keep the sport relevant. (Although even Bernie knows not to put Max in charge of the bimbos now ;)).

[bmwqc]

F1 only works if it's the pinnacle of motorsport. If there are no new things being invented due to overly restrictive formula then what is the point?



If they reduce the costs, should they also reduce the ticket prices also? (Good luck) :rolleyes:

[Gregster]

If they reduce the costs, should they also reduce the ticket prices also? (Good luck) :rolleyes:

Even Nascar has "interesting" ticket prices. Either F1 or Nascar a compelte weekend pass will cost you 500$ if you actualy want to see the race. Although with Nascar you can park a camper in the infeld and have a hodown.

I like getting to the track at 9am and not having to defend my seats with a knife all day.

[Emre]

The only motorsports I actually enjoy watching on TV are touring cars, WRC, and endurance racing. F1 has been a makor snooze-fest for years IMNSHO. I'd much rather watch an SCCA Speed World Challenge race from Mosport or highlights from a WRC event than an entire season of F1.

Having lived in Europe for the past year watching French and British motorsports coverage, I've been enjoying ETCC, BTCC, DTM, WRC, and various smaller rally series. Also, I love the coverage of the great European endurance events: LeMans, 24 Hours of Spa, and especially the ADAC 24h Rennen Nürburgring.

The motorsports coverage on Speed sucks. All NASCAR and retarded reality shows. Puke.

[mightydread]

The only motorsports I actually enjoy watching on TV are touring cars, WRC, and endurance racing. F1 has been a makor snooze-fest for years IMNSHO. I'd much rather watch an SCCA Speed World Challenge race from Mosport or highlights from a WRC event than an entire season of F1.

Having lived in Europe for the past year watching French and British motorsports coverage, I've been enjoying ETCC, BTCC, DTM, WRC, and various smaller rally series. Also, I love the coverage of the great European endurance events: LeMans, 24 Hours of Spa, and especially the ADAC 24h Rennen Nürburgring.

The motorsports coverage on Speed sucks. All NASCAR and retarded reality shows. Puke.

i agree too :D:D:D .. if a nascar team came calling ,, would you refuse the ride???;););) ,, its still racing and they have a huge fan base.

[Gregster]

The only motorsports I actually enjoy watching on TV are touring cars, WRC, and endurance racing. F1 has been a makor snooze-fest for years IMNSHO. I'd much rather watch an SCCA Speed World Challenge race from Mosport or highlights from a WRC event than an entire season of F1.

Having lived in Europe for the past year watching French and British motorsports coverage, I've been enjoying ETCC, BTCC, DTM, WRC, and various smaller rally series. Also, I love the coverage of the great European endurance events: LeMans, 24 Hours of Spa, and especially the ADAC 24h Rennen Nürburgring.

The motorsports coverage on Speed sucks. All NASCAR and retarded reality shows. Puke.


Speed was actually playing the SCCA runoffs yesterday! Shocking!! Although it was during the day, I guess at night they need to play car auctions.

[Emre]

if a nascar team came calling ,, would you refuse the ride???;););)I don't know if I have the ability to chew enough tobacco to land a NASCAR drive ;)

[johnmdanskin]

Juan Pablo Montoya probably isn't much of a tobacco chewer either.

ALMS costs about $85 per weekend at Lime Rock, and you can walk around in the pits, harass the drivers, ask the head of corvette design if there will ever be a rear engine corvette (no), and so on. Also, you can walk wherever you want, lie down in the sun, park easily, and stay in a nearby hotel for less than $100/night (with a little research).

[bmwqc]

ALMS costs about $85 per weekend at Lime Rock, and you can walk around in the pits, harass the drivers, ask the head of corvette design if there will ever be a rear engine corvette (no), and so on. Also, you can walk wherever you want, lie down in the sun, park easily, and stay in a nearby hotel for less than $100/night (with a little research).


That's the trademark of auto racing American style. The fans are able to get very close to the scene and the action. F1's somewhat cold atmosphere (at least for the average paying fan) may be a turn-off for Americans who are used to be treated like a real customer. F1 on the other hand treats its fans like doing them a favor.

[Silverblades181]

I went to the ALMS Weekend at Mosport this year and it was a lot of fun. It cost something like 40$ for the weekend, stayed at an el-cheapo motel and enjoyed a LOT of racing, walked threw the pits and got a couple of posters autographed by the WC pilots. You can even walk on the grid before the big enduro race sunday afternoon (main event). Plus at Mosport, you can walk around the entire track so your not stuck at the same corner all weekend. I'll go next year for sure, though this time I'll bring sunscreen (ouch)

It's a 4h30 to 5h drive though, so we left at 3h am saturday morning.

Never went to an F1 race and it's a 20 minutes drive lol.

[Andrei]

They should do an ALMS race at CGV. That would be cool.

[Gregster]

The only drawback about Mosport is the lack of nightlife...

[Andrei]

The only drawback about Mosport is the lack of nightlife...

5th Wheel truckstop not good enough for ya?

[Gregster]

5th Wheel truckstop not good enough for ya?

They'll be out of hookers by then. What good is a truck stop if all the hookers are taken?

The good part about Mosport is that only true race fans will make the pilgrimage and sit there the entire weekend. I like racing but I wouldn't make the pilgrimage, the commitment would be bored out of her mind as would I.

Thats what makes Tremblant so good you can do the track stuff during the day and go out for a romantic meal at night and if shes bored during the day I can ship her off to a spa.