The economic crisis becomes a crisis of competitiveness for most teams. An opportunity to place a new piece in the vast game of the future taking shape before our eyes. Out with the principle of “constructor” set up there 20 years.
Monza meeting between Bernie Ecclestone, Jean Todt and team leaders is only part of a game whose aim is broader: Out with the definition established in 1992 the principle of “constructor “. A set which is now the cause of the weakening of F1.
In 1992, when the Italian team Andrea Moda Formula uses unworthy frame of Formula 1, Max Mosley introduces a new definition of “constructor. “Today, a team must own the intellectual property rights of his car. It may subcontract elements, but it has the operating rights. Requiring the construction of modern factories and still more staff. The problem is that today the economic argument requires a major change. The crisis of sponsorship and TV rights dependency in the budgets of small teams require a new era. The race for performance imposed by the new regulations, takes a dangerous turn for the teams middle of the grid. Technical delays in 2014 will not be caught and the idea of having a Formula 1 to several concerned speeds.
The idea of the third car is not new. It goes back almost a decade now. But Williams and Sauber were political locks. Clearly a policy change is visible. The goal is to create facts that require teams to place on the field that was chosen. By whom? Bernie Ecclestone.
In April 2014, Ecclestone wanted the future of Formula 1 is around 8 teams / constructor. Time is no longer on the IPO and therefore the political-economic freeze, to have a stable F1 to attract investors. A new order is emerging Bernie Ecclestone.
Thus, the recovery of Caterham F1 Team and projects around Sauber and Lotus bear the sign of the new strategy Ecclestone. The Caterham team can buy a chassis with Red Bull and improve its relations with the Austrian team (same gearbox, same engine). Sauber could do the same with Ferrari (it already has the same back as the F14T) and Lotus Mercedes for example could do the same thing Sauber.
The meeting in Monza suggested a redefinition of the term “constructor” around aerodynamic modifications on a frame and / or the construction of a frame under license.
So Ferrari expects to go further with Gene Haas for 2016 and Toro Rosso has delayed the design of its STR10 hoping to use as many elements of the next Red Bull RB11.
The Strategic Group F1 (Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, Lotus and Williams) rediscovered that Formula 1 needs a new technical strategy with a significant impact economically. Discussions around agreements to reduce costs were never successful. So far the strategy was to wait, which strengthened the big teams over small.
In sanctuarisant its members, the Strategic Group suggests the same time that small teams that are not part of this club, as Force India, Marussia, Sauber and Lotus Caterham see, who do not enjoy the same security. It is on them that Bernie Ecclestone Moves Forward new order.
That’s why Adam Parr on his Twitter account, suggests that a formula 1-8 teams / constructor in 2015 is possible. It is indeed possible. Gradually the number of “constructor” drop and some teams will then disappear or that names for a third car.
Marc Limacher
